Amendments are to improve standards for licensure of foster homes and to conform with statutory language in section 409.175, F.S.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65C-45.002Parent Preparation Pre-service and Inservice Training for all Levels of Licensure

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Amendments are to improve standards for licensure of foster homes and to conform with statutory language in section 409.175, F.S.

SUMMARY: The amendments clarify the rule and add training requirements for certification as an Enhanced Level II foster home to ensure the foster parents are adequately prepared.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

A SERC has not been prepared.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The Department used a checklist to conduct an economic analysis and determine if there is an adverse impact or regulatory cost associated with this rule that exceeds the criteria in section 120.541(2)(a), F.S. Based upon this analysis, the Department has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 409.175(5) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.175 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Elizabeth Floyd. Elizabeth can be reached at [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

65C-45.002 Parent Preparation Pre-service and Inservice Training for all Levels of Licensure.

(1) Parent preparation pre-service and in-service training shall meet the requirements of Sections 409.175(14)(b), F.S.

(2) Applicants who have previously completed a Department-approved pre-service training curriculum in the past five (5) years, and who can provide proof of completion, shall not be required to complete pre-service training except portions of the training curriculum that have been updated since their previous completion. Applicants who completed pre-service training in another state shall be exempt from pre-service training if the curriculum meets the content requirements established in Sections 409.175(14)(b), F.S., for pre-service training offered in Florida. Supervising agencies shall submit a copy of the curriculum to the Department Office of Child Welfare for review and approval if the previously completed training is not an approved curriculum in Florida. The Department Office of Child Welfare shall approve training curriculum that meets the content requirements specified in Sections 409.175(14)(b)1.-7, F.S.

(3) No change.

(4) Each applicant shall complete orientation prior to, but no later than, the first preservice training class.

(5) The Department will approve Enhanced Level II foster home trainings that include at minimum the following components:

(a) Attachment-based intervention;

(b) Trauma-informed intervention;

(c) Promotion of healing relationships;

(d) Development of safety;

(e) Teaching of self-management and coping skills;

(f) Social connections and support systems;

(g) Behavior management; and

(h) Parental resilience relationship development.

(6) Applicants seeking approval as an Enhanced Level II Foster Home, as defined in 65C-30.001, F.A.C., must complete a Department-approved Enhanced Level II foster home training.

(7)(4) No Change

(8)(5) Each parent preparation pre-service training class shall be led by a child protection professional certified pursuant to Section 402.40, F.S., who has a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, and who has successfully met any curriculum-specific requirements to train the Department-approved parent preparation pre-service training curriculum. An online training approved by the Department may also be provided. The Department shall review all parent preparation pre-service training curriculum to ensure that it meets the content requirements specified in Sections 409.175(14)(b)1.-7, F.S. If the required hours and content requirements are met, the Department shall approve the curriculum. Each parent preparation pre-service training class shall follow the recommendations of the curriculum designer regarding the number and type of facilitators involved in the training process. If the child-placing agency is the designer of the curriculum, the number and types of facilitators to be involved in the training process must be clearly defined.

(6) through (10) are renumbered (9) through (13) No change.

(14)(11) Preservice training curriculum(s) must be reviewed every seven (7) years by the Department Office of Child Welfare.

Rulemaking Authority 409.175(5) FS. Law Implemented 409.175(5), (14) FS. History–New 4-26-20. Amended____

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Courtney Smith

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Shevaun L. Harris

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 20, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 28, 2022