Florida Administrative Code
65 - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
65E - Mental Health Program
Chapter 65E-9 - LICENSURE OF RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS
Section 65E-9.011 - Discharge and Discharge Planning

(1) The provider shall have and use on an ongoing basis a written procedure on discharge planning and aftercare services that specifies the availability of services and the persons responsible for implementation of the aftercare plan.

(2) Discharge planning shall begin at the time of admission. A discharge plan shall be developed, written and interpreted in collaboration with the child, parent or guardian, department, foster parents and guardian ad litem, if applicable, within ten days of admission, and a projected date for discharge shall be included in the child's treatment plan. A copy of the discharge plan shall be given to the parent or guardian, the guardian ad litem, and the department.

(3) Discharge planning shall include input from the child, the child's parent or guardian, foster parents, department, and guardian ad litem.

(4) Discharge planning may include a period of transition into the community, such as home visits and meetings with community mental health service providers.

(5) Discharges shall be approved and signed by the treating psychiatrist.

(6) A child may be discharged only to the parent, guardian or placing organization, unless the provider is otherwise ordered by the court.

(7) The provider shall finalize the discharge plan and have it approved and signed by the treatment team. A copy of this discharge plan shall be provided to the parent or legal guardian, guardian ad litem and department at least 30 days before the proposed discharge date, which, at a minimum, shall include:

(8) Aftercare plans shall be developed by the provider staff under the guidance of the clinical director and shall encourage the active participation of the child and parent or guardian and guardian ad litem.

(9) The provider shall have and utilize written procedures for follow-up care, including a written plan for follow-up services and at least one contact with the discharged child and his parent or guardian and guardian ad litem within the first 30 days following discharge.

(10) For children age 17, the provider shall assess their needs for continuing services in the adult mental health service system and assist them in planning for and accessing those services.

(11) Within 10 business days of the physical departure of a child placed from out-of-state, the provider shall complete, date, and sign an Interstate Compact Report on Child's Placement Status, (ICPC-100B) Form, CF 795, 10/05, which is hereby incorporated by reference, place a copy of the form in the child's record, and mail the original and two copies of the form to: Office of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Child Welfare Program Office, Florida Department of Children and Family Services, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700. A copy of the form may be obtained at the department's website, www.dcf.state.fl.us/publications/efors/0795.pdf.

(12) Notwithstanding subsections (1)-(11) of Rule 65E-9.011, F.A.C., Providers who serve children committed under Section 985.19, F.S., shall abide by the following standards with regard to discharge planning:

(13) Discharge summaries shall be developed by the provider staff under the guidance of the clinical director and shall encourage the active participation of the child and parent or guardian and guardian ad litem.