This bill amends §39.303 to require that the Statewide District Child Protection Team medical directors be board certified pediatricians and have or acquire a diplomate in child abuse pediatrics. The law extends sovereign immunity to members of the Child Protection Team. And it requires that each Critical Incident Rapid Response Team includes a Child Protection Team medical. Finally it amends the law on expert witness certification that will enable physicians and osteopathic physicians from other jurisdictions to obtain certificates needed The law goes into effect on July 1, 2015. The bill can be viewed here, click here.

The adoption incentive provisions of this bill were widely popular. The repeal of the statutory ban on gay adoption drew a great deal of opposition. But for most attorneys and judges, the little discussed education provisions will have the most impact on their daily work. The law is intended to strengthen the requirements that help children remain in their school of origin upon entry into care. Then if the child cannot remain in that school, there is to be a conversation and decision made about the best educational setting for the child. That best setting may now include homeschooling, which is currently prohibited by administrative rule. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2015. The bill can be viewed here, click here.

Funded by excess funding in counsel for dependent children with special needs, the GAL Program has put together a comprehensive conference that will help all practitioners effectively advocate for their clients and promote the best interest of children. Register online click here.

The Guardian Ad Litem Program issued: Guardianship Services for Incapacitated Youth in Foster Care Turning 18, a statement of principles to guide legislation to protect this vulnerable population of youth. These principles are intended to guide legislation in this upcoming session. The principles are: 1. A process must be in place that will satisfy all necessary legal and administrative requirements so that, when appropriate, guardianship services will begin for youth in foster care on their 18th birthdays. 2. The rights of incapacitated youth in foster care must be protected by adhering to existing law that requires use of the least restrictive type of decision making assistance for these young adults. To read the Principles click here.

The Department of Children and Families implementation memo can be viewed here, click here. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities memo can be viewed here, click here. .

The draft rules and forms have not yet been officially promulgated pursuant to the formal rule making process, but you can review the current drafts here. Extended Foster Care here. Postsecondary Educational Support Services and ETV can be viewed here.

Fla. Stat. §39.605(3) was amended to require attendance, not just enrollment, for children from birth to school age. Previous law required enrollment starting at age 3. Additionally, DCF amended Fla. Admin. Code 65C-13.030 to set an order of priority for the selection of the child care setting for children in licensed out of home care. To read the memo click here.

To view a summary of the major changes you can review a presentation prepared by Stephen Pennypacker, former Asst. Secretary of DCF, now CEO of the Partnership for Strong Families click here.

In collaboration with Judge David Gooding, Family Support Services, the Dept. of Juvenile Justice, the State Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office, the Delores Barr Policy Center is working to create Duval County's first Girls Court. Girls Court is a specialized form of juvenile court that links girls who are facing criminal charges with community based organizations,like the Delores Barr weaver Policy Center, in an effort to reduce girl's recidivism and detention. Expected outcomes include reduced days in detention, reduced court orders, and reduced violations of probation.

Less than 3% of youth in foster care obtain a driver's license. This has a negative impact on their ability to become fully independent, work and get their education. The Keys to Independence Bill, crafted by the Guardian Ad Litem Program and supported by Florida Youth SHINE and sponsored by Senator Detert and Representative Albritton addresses the barriers faced by many youth. It gives priority to foster youth in enrolling in high school driver's ed class, and creates a pilot project to fund the cost of a learner's permit, driver's license and help with car insurance. To the read the bill click here.

Children in state care are very vulnerable to identity theft. The Keeping IDs Safe - K.I.D.S. Act is intended to afford some protection to all minors and incapacitated persons. Senate Bill 242 was sponsored by Representative Fitzenhagen and Senator Detert and supported by the Guardian Ad Litem Program and Florida Youth SHINE. The law allows a guardian or other advocate to place a security freeze on the child's consumer report. A security freeze prohibits a consumer reporting agency from releasing information to a third party without authorization. That in turn prevents the third party from obtaining credit in the child's name. To read the bill click here.

On July 1st, Florida Statute 39.01305 will go into effect requiring the appointment of a lawyer for dependent children who fall into one or more of the following categories: victims of human trafficking, in or facing placement in Residential Treatment, in or facing placement in a nursing home, declines to assent to psychotropic medication, and has a diagnosis of developmental disability. To read the bill, click here.

This white paper examines the history of Florida's offer of free tuition to former foster youth. It documents the low rate of usage of this important benefit, details barriers, and offers suggestions for increasing usage. To read the white paper click here.

Florida's Independent Living program will undergo substantial changes in the coming year. This overview is intended to help young people and child welfare staff understand what changes are coming and who will be affected. A separate "Quick and Dirty" Frequently Asked Questions document provides initial answers the common concerns. To read the FAQ click here. To read the Overview click here.

The new and revised rules adopted pursuant to the 3 year cycle for Juvenile Rules include a number of changes to rules affecting both delinquency and dependency proceedings. This order creates a new rule concerning civil contempt in dependency. It substantially revises provisions on determining parenthood, conducting supplemental findings hearings and how to withdraw as counsel. To read the Amendments click here.