House Bill hb1013

    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                HB 1013

        By Representative Justice






  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to foster-family incentives;

  3         amending s. 409.1753, F.S.; creating a

  4         foster-parent mentoring program; directing the

  5         Department of Children and Family Services to

  6         adopt rules; providing for a retirement account

  7         for certain foster families; providing for

  8         funds to be paid into a master trust for

  9         certain foster children; specifying eligibility

10         criteria; providing an effective date.

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12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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14         Section 1.  Section 409.1753, Florida Statutes, is

15  amended to read:

16         409.1753  Foster care; duties; incentives.--

17         (1)  The department shall ensure that, within each

18  district, each foster home is given a telephone number for the

19  foster parent to call during normal working hours whenever

20  immediate assistance is needed and the child's caseworker is

21  unavailable. This number must be staffed and answered by

22  individuals possessing the knowledge and authority necessary

23  to assist foster parents.

24         (2)  Within resources specifically appropriated for

25  this purpose, the department shall establish a mentoring

26  program for foster families. In order to enhance recruitment

27  and retention efforts, new or inexperienced families will be

28  matched with experienced and trained foster-parent mentors for

29  the purpose of providing guidance and support. The components

30  of the foster-parent mentoring program shall be established in

31  rule and address selection criteria, compensation guidelines,

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                HB 1013

    773-104-01






  1  competency-based training for mentor parents, and a

  2  standardized method for evaluation.

  3         (3)(a)1.  On July 1 of each year beginning in 2001,

  4  each eligible foster family shall be given a $500 allowance to

  5  be paid into a tax-sheltered retirement account as an

  6  incentive for participation in the foster-parent program.

  7  There shall be another $500 allowance provided for each family

  8  eligible for and participating in a foster-parent mentoring

  9  program, as determined by the department. Funds shall be paid

10  pro-rated monthly. The department may procure a single vendor

11  to be the fund custodian or permit each eligible family to

12  select its own financial institution. Payment shall be made

13  directly to the financial institution on behalf of the foster

14  parents. The objectives of the investment account shall be

15  determined by the foster family.

16         2.  On July 1 of each year beginning in 2001, each

17  eligible foster child on that date shall be given a $500

18  allowance to be paid into a master trust as provided in s.

19  402.17, payable to the child upon the attainment of the age of

20  majority or termination from receiving foster-care services,

21  whichever is later. The moneys shall be held in trust for the

22  child by a financial institution in investments that will

23  produce maximum liquidity and preservation of capital. Funds

24  paid shall be pro-rated monthly for the term of participation

25  and eligible age.

26         3.  Funds provided for the purposes set forth in this

27  paragraph may not be used for any other purpose.

28         4.  The department shall apply for any federal or other

29  grants that are available to expand the pool of monetary

30  resources that may be used for this program.

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                HB 1013

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  1         (b)1.  In order to be eligible for the first $500

  2  annual foster-parent payment provided in subparagraph (a)1., a

  3  foster parent must have been providing family foster-home

  4  services to children placed with them through the state's

  5  child protection system for a minimum of 1 year, must not be

  6  licensed to care for any particular child, and must have cared

  7  for at least one child during each year a payment is made.

  8         2.  In order to be eligible for the second $500 annual

  9  foster-parent payment provided in subparagraph (a)1., a foster

10  parent must have been selected for and be participating in the

11  statewide foster-parent mentor program.

12         3.  In order for a foster child to be eligible for the

13  $500 annual allowance provided in subparagraph (a)2., the

14  child must be at least 13 years old and must have been in

15  foster care or residential group care for at least 6 months.

16         Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2001.

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19                          SENATE SUMMARY

20    Creates a mentoring program for foster families under the
      Department of Children and Family Services. Provides a
21    $500 annual cash allowance to foster families, to
      families participating in the foster-parent mentoring
22    program, and to eligible foster children who meet
      statutory eligibility criteria.
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