Section 65C-28.012 - Other Parent Home Assessment and Home Studies for Relative and Non-Relative Placements(2) For each non-licensed placement, a home study shall be completed by the child welfare professional responsible for the case prior to the placement of the child in the out-of-home caregivers' home. In all instances, the completed home study shall be filed with the court.(3) In fulfilling the requirements of Section 39.521, F.S., a summary of the results of the home study shall be prepared, which shall include the recommendation to be made to the court. This summary includes the following categories, each of which shall be summarized: (a) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver understands and is able to meet the child's need for protection.(b) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver understands the child's need for care and permanency and can provide long-term permanency if needed.(c) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver has been informed regarding rights and responsibilities in the dependency process.(d) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver will provide nurturing care and can ensure a safe home.(e) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver has a history free from child abuse and free of a criminal record.(f) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver is financially able to care for the child and a determination of whether the out-of-home caregivers' financial situation would cause total dependence on financial assistance to care for the child. This shall include a summary of the out-of-home caregivers' understanding of the financial assistance, if any, and other services that will be available from the Department or contracted service provider to assist in caring for the child.(g) Whether each proposed out-of-home caregiver has been counseled on available support in the community.(h) Whether or not the placement is to be recommended and an explanation of the decision.(4) Unless developmentally inappropriate, a determination shall be made and documented regarding the child's preferences on the placement.(5) If the home study is not approved and the child is in the placement, the Department or contracted service provider shall request an emergency hearing to inform the court of the findings and make a recommendation for an alternate placement.(6) If the child is not in the household where the home study was completed and the proposed out-of-home caregiver is not selected, the proposed caregiver shall be verbally so advised by the child welfare professional responsible for the case within five (5) business days and then documented in FSFN.(7) If a child is placed in the custody of a relative or non-relative pursuant to order of the court after the Department or contracted service provider recommends against such placement, the relative or non-relative shall be allowed to participate in the Relative Caregiver Program in the same manner as if the Department or contracted service provider had approved the home study.(8) When a child has been placed in the custody of a relative or non-relative by the court against the recommendation of the Department or contracted service provider, the child welfare professional responsible for the case shall notify his or her supervisor of the court's determination. The supervisor shall schedule a staffing to be held within three (3) business days of the court decision to discuss the reasons for the negative home study and to develop a plan of action that includes identifying services and/or safety management for the family with whom the child is placed and that addresses the child's needs.(9) When a child has been placed in a relative or non-relative household and other children have already been placed in the home by the Department or contracted service provider, an updated Unified Home Study addressing issues surrounding placement of an additional child in the household shall be prepared and provided to the court in conjunction with a recommendation regarding placing an additional child in the home.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 65C-28.012
Rulemaking Authority 39.012, 39.0121(12), (13), 39.5085 FS. Law Implemented 39.5085(2), 39.521(2)(r) FS.
New 5-4-06, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 081, April 26, 2016 effective 5/8/2016.New 5-4-06, Amended 5-8-16.