Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Funding: Child-placing agencies beginning
operation shall have the capital necessary for a six (6) month period of
operation.
(2) Budget: The
child-placing agency shall prepare a written budget annually.
(3) Audit: The child-placing agency shall
have its financial records audited annually. A report of this audit shall be
available to the Department at the licensed location during normal business
hours.
(4) Fees and Costs.
(a) If fees for adoption and foster care
services are charged, the child-placing agency shall have a fee schedule
disclosing all fees for services in a written policy which describes the
conditions under which fees are charged, waived, or refunded, if applicable. A
copy of the fee schedule, including any updates, shall be filed with the
Department. This schedule shall clearly list the specific services covered by
each fee. This fee schedule shall be given to all persons applying for adoption
services at the time the application is made. A fee agreement and any
modifications to it shall be executed with each applicant. The fee agreement
shall list the fees charged and the services to be provided, including
provisions for payment.
(b)
Adoption fees shall be established based on the costs of the following services
for the total adoption program:
1. Medical
services for the child and the birth mother,
2. Legal services,
3. Counseling services,
4. Home study services,
5. Living expense for the birth mother,
6. Foster care services,
7. Pre- and post-placement social
services,
8. Contracted services,
if applicable,
9. Other necessary
services; and,
10. Agency
facilities and administrative costs.
(c) The agency's up-to-date fee schedule
shall be reviewed by the Department annually to ensure that the schedule is in
compliance with Section
63.097, F.S., for adoption
related services.
(5)
Where payments are made to foster parents:
(a)
The child-placing agency shall have a written payment schedule and statement on
payment procedures; and,
(b) The
child-placing agency shall provide foster parents with written notification of
changes in the schedule at least 30 calendar days prior to the
change.
(6) The
child-placing agency shall not require or coerce applicants, adoptive parents
or their representatives to provide gratuities, such as money or other things
of value or services, beyond the established fee.
Rulemaking Authority
409.175 FS. Law Implemented
409.175
FS.
New 12-19-90, Formerly 10M-24.019, Amended
11-14-16.
