The Florida Senate

409.152  Service integration and family preservation.--

(1)  The Legislature intends to further the goal of family preservation through a family-centered services constellation. District goals and objectives must be consistent with this statewide policy.

(2)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Family preservation service integration plan" means a plan that integrates the duties, responsibilities, and programs for meeting the needs of families and children in a manner designed to strengthen families before more intrusive services are required. The plan shall be designed to prevent family dissolution, reduce inappropriate and lengthy placement of children in out-of-home settings, and reduce dependency of a family on intrusive government programs and services.

(b)  "Family-centered services constellation" means a delivery system in which the needs of the child and family are at its core and which integrates services and programs offered by various program offices of the department, other departments of state government, units of local government, and public and private agencies.

(3)  Each service district of the department shall develop a family preservation service integration plan that identifies various programs that can be organized at the point of service delivery into a logical and cohesive family-centered services constellation. The plan shall include:

(a)  Goals and objectives for integrating services for families and avoiding barriers to service integration, procedures for centralized intake and assessment, a comprehensive service plan for each family, and an evaluation method of program outcome.

(b)  Recommendations for proposed changes to fiscal and substantive policies, regulations, and laws at local, district, and state delivery levels, including budget and personnel policies; purchasing flexibility and workforce incentives; discretionary resources; and incentives to reduce dependency on government programs and services.

(c)  Strategies for creating partnerships with the community, clients, and consumers of services which establish, maintain, and preserve family units.

(4)  Based on the district plans, the department shall develop a statewide family preservation integration plan.

(5)  In developing the state and district plans, the department shall encourage the participation of a broad spectrum of groups and individuals including clients and consumers.

(6)  District health and human services boards are encouraged to designate family preservation programs within their district which provide a laboratory for demonstrating the provision of a family-centered constellation of services in a coordinated, cohesive, family-friendly, and integrated manner. The programs shall be funded out of existing resources. In order to encourage experimentation and innovation, the health and human services board may apply to the secretary for waiver of or modification of any policy or procedure, including a budget, personnel, and purchasing policy, which impedes implementation of services, if the waiver or modification does not interfere with the substantive or procedural rights of clients or violate federal or state law.

(7)  On or before September 1, 1993, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the appropriate substantive committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives a copy of the state and district plans described in this section and the results or accomplishments of any district family preservation programs established by the health and human services boards.

History.--s. 9, ch. 92-58.