(2) A young adult may apply for readmission
to extended foster care at any time before his or her 21st birthday. Prior
discharge from the program is not a barrier to readmission. A young adult shall
be admitted provided the young adult meets the eligibility requirements of
Section 39.6251, F.S. Young adults who
voluntarily re-enter foster care after turning 18 years of age following
dismissal of dependency are considered to be entering a new foster care
episode. Applications for admission must be readily available to young adults.
The application form to be used is "Extended Foster Care Voluntary Placement
Agreement, " CF-FSP 5377, Jan 2020, incorporated by reference, and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11496.
(a) To enter extended foster care after
having left foster care, the young adult must complete the Extended Foster Care
Voluntary Placement Agreement and provide proof of participating in a
qualifying activity. Designated staff shall offer to assist the young adult
with completing the form and/or obtaining necessary documentation.
1. If the young adult is unable to
participate in a qualifying activity due to a physical, intellectual,
emotional, or psychiatric condition, the young adult shall either furnish
documentation of the condition or execute a consent for release of records to
the designated staff to obtain the documentation. The designated staff shall
attach documentation of the inability to the Extended Foster Care Voluntary
Placement Agreement.
2. All young
adults with diagnosed disabilities or mental health needs shall be provided an
equal opportunity to participate in extended foster care. A young adult with
diagnosed disabilities or mental health needs may need additional support;
therefore, the designated staff will work in consultation with all of the young
adult's service providers, guardian ad litem, and attorney, if
applicable.
(b) If the
young adult does not meet eligibility requirements, designated staff shall
offer to assist the young adult in choosing and enrolling in a qualifying
activity and applying for Aftercare Services.
(c) The young adult must be notified within
10 business days of submitting the application whether the application was
approved or denied, or whether additional information, including supporting
documentation, is needed.
1. The decision to
approve or deny shall be based solely on whether the young adult meets the
requirements of Section
39.6251, F.S.
2. If the decision is to readmit the young
adult into extended foster care, within three (3) business days, the designated
staff shall request the Children's Legal Services attorney or legal
representative of the Department to petition the court for reinstatement of
jurisdiction.
3. Reinstatement of
jurisdiction must occur within 90 days from the time the Extended Foster Care
Voluntary Placement Agreement is signed by all parties.
4. Upon verification and approval of
eligibility, the signed Extended Foster Care Voluntary Placement Agreement
shall be uploaded into the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).
5. If the decision is to deny the application
for extended foster care, the community-based care agency shall make a
recommendation of denial to the Department's designated regional operations
representative for review and agreement. If the Department disagrees with the
denial and is unable obtain consensus with the community-based care lead
agency, documentation should then be forwarded to the Department's regional
representative in the Office of the General Counsel. If after consultation,
there is continued disagreement, documentation should be forwarded to the
Department's headquarters representative in the Office of Child Welfare for
continued review. The Department's headquarters representative will make the
final determination in the conflict resolution. Upon reaching agreement with
the adverse action, designated staff shall provide a "Notice of Denial for
Readmission into Extended Foster Care, " CF-FSP 5410, Sept 2018, incorporated
by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10157,
and an "Application for Aftercare Services, " CF-FSP 5391, May 2015,
incorporated by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05789.
The "Due Process Rights" form, CF/PI 175-74, August 2014, incorporated by
reference in subsection
65C-41.005(1),
F.A.C., and a "Request for Fair Hearing, " CF-FSP 5380, August 2014,
incorporated by reference in subsection
65C-41.006(2),
F.A.C., shall be attached the Notice of Denial for Readmission into Extended
Foster Care.
6. If additional
information is needed, the young adult shall have 10 business days from
notification to submit the information. Designated staff shall offer to assist
the young adult in obtaining the additional information. If the young adult
fails to provide the additional information, the young adult will be denied
readmission into extended foster care.
