The Florida Senate

402.3018  Consultation to child care centers and family day care homes regarding health, developmental, disability, and special needs issues.--

(1)  Contingent upon specific appropriations, the department is directed to contract with the statewide resource information and referral agency for a statewide toll-free Warm-Line for the purpose of providing assistance and consultation to child care centers and family day care homes regarding health, developmental, disability, and special needs issues of the children they are serving, particularly children with disabilities and other special needs.

(2)  The purpose of the Warm-Line is to provide advice to child care personnel concerning strategies, curriculum, and environmental adaptations that allow a child to derive maximum benefit from the child care experience.

(3)  The department shall inform child care centers and family day care homes of the availability of this service, on an annual basis.

(4)  Contingent upon specific appropriations, the department shall expand or contract for the expansion of the Warm-Line from one statewide site to one Warm-Line site in each child care resource and referral agency region.

(5)  Each regional Warm-Line shall provide assistance and consultation to child care centers and family day care homes regarding health, developmental, disability, and special needs issues of the children they are serving, particularly children with disabilities and other special needs. Regional Warm-Line staff shall provide onsite technical assistance, when requested, to assist child care centers and family day care homes with inquiries relative to the strategies, curriculum, and environmental adaptations the child care centers and family day care homes may need as they serve children with disabilities and other special needs.

History.--s. 13, ch. 99-304.