Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) The child-caring agency licensed as a
traditional group home, as defined in subsection
65C-46.001(22),
F.A.C., or residential group home, as defined in subsection
65C-46.001(16),
F.A.C., and serving non-dependency youth must meet licensing requirements set
forth in Rules 65C-46.001 through
65C-46.014, F.A.C.
(2) If serving dependency youth, the
child-caring agency licensed as a traditional group home, as defined in
subsection 65C-46.001(22),
F.A.C., or residential group home, as defined in subsection
65C-46.001(16),
F.A.C. must meet licensing requirements set forth in Rules
65C-46.001 through
65C-46.014, F.A.C., and must
specify in their program description policies which of the following they
choose to serve:
(a) Young adults, ages 18-21
years of age., or 22 years of age with documented disability who are enrolled
in Extended Foster Care (EFC), or young adults in the Road to Independence
Program, or
(b) Children and youth
placed in out-of-home care whose Comprehensive Placement Assessment recommends
placement in a group care setting/program that has been identified but is
unavailable at the time of placement.
(3) Requirements for Serving Independent
Living Young Adults.
(a) The minimum staffing
ratio for this population is one to eight when young adults are awake and one
to 12 when young adults are asleep.
(b) The child-caring agency shall ensure all
direct care staff complete pre-service training requirements in paragraph
65C-46.011(9)(c),
F.A.C., and receive an additional eight (8) hours of training focused on
teaching independent living skills, caring for teens in foster care, and
nurturing adolescent development. Of the 40 hours of annual in-service training
required in paragraph
65C-46.011(9)(d),
F.A.C., eight (8) hours shall be focused on caring for and transition planning
for young adults.
(c) The
child-caring agency shall collaborate with the child welfare professional and
young adult to complete required plans outlined in rule Chapters 65C-41 and
65C-42, F.A.C. Copies shall be included in the young adult's file.
(d) The child-caring agency shall provide the
following services:
1. Life skill
instruction.
2.
Counseling.
3. Educational
Support.
4. Employment preparation
and placement.
5. Development of a
supportive network of adults.
(4) Requirements for Serving Youth Entering
Out-of-Home Care.
(a) Transition planning
shall be initiated 48 hours after placement.
(b) The child-caring agency shall collaborate
with the child welfare professional to provide and/or assist with the following
services:
1. Coordination of assessments
including, but not limited to, suitability assessments, Early and Periodic
Screening Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT), or assessments of preliminary
mental and/or behavioral health needs.
2. Coordinate referrals to and arrangements
for continued services in a least restrictive setting.
3. Assess family connections/relationships to
assist with family finding efforts.
Rulemaking Authority
409.175(5) FS.
Law Implemented 409.175
FS.
New 5-26-21, Formerly
64C-14.123.
