Senate Bill sb2292
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2005 SB 2292
By Senator Bennett
21-1522-05
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to model comprehensive
3 residential services for foster children;
4 amending s. 409.1679, F.S.; providing that a
5 child may be moved from one residence to
6 another for certain specified reasons;
7 requiring that a child be given the opportunity
8 for a full academic year of appropriate
9 instruction; requiring that an educational
10 assessment be completed if a child is not
11 demonstrating academic progress; requiring an
12 educational staffing to review the results of
13 the assessment; requiring that a clear and
14 specific plan be developed to help the child
15 make educational progress; providing specified
16 satisfaction levels for certain services;
17 providing an effective date.
18
19 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
20
21 Section 1. Subsection (3) of section 409.1679, Florida
22 Statutes, is amended to read:
23 409.1679 Additional requirements, effective date,
24 reimbursement methodology, and evaluation.--
25 (3) Each program established under ss. 409.1676 and
26 409.1677 must meet the following expectations, which must be
27 included in its contracts with the department or lead agency:
28 (a) No more than 10 percent of the children served may
29 move from one living environment to another, unless the child
30 is returned to family members, or is moved according to, in
31 accordance with the treatment plan, or is moved to a
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Florida Senate - 2005 SB 2292
21-1522-05
1 less-restrictive setting. Each child must have a comprehensive
2 transitional plan that identifies the child's living
3 arrangement upon leaving the program and specific steps and
4 services that are being provided to prepare for that
5 arrangement. Specific expectations as to the time period
6 necessary for the achievement of these permanency goals must
7 be included in the contract.
8 (b) Each child must be provided the opportunity to
9 receive a full academic year of appropriate educational
10 instruction. No more than 10 percent of the children may be in
11 more than one academic setting in an academic year, unless the
12 child is being moved, in accordance with an educational plan
13 or unless the move is legally mandated, to a less-restrictive
14 setting. Each child must demonstrate academic progress and
15 must be performing at grade level or at a level commensurate
16 with a valid academic assessment. If a child does not
17 demonstrate academic progress, a valid educational assessment
18 approved by the current school district the child is attending
19 must be completed and a full educational staffing must occur,
20 which must include the biological parents, when appropriate,
21 to review the results of the assessment and develop a clear
22 and specific plan to help the child to begin to make
23 educational progress.
24 (c) Siblings must be kept together in the same living
25 environment 100 percent of the time, unless that is determined
26 by the provider not to be in the children's best interest.
27 When siblings are separated in placement, the decision must be
28 reviewed and approved by the court within 30 days.
29 (d) The program must experience a caregiver turnover
30 rate and an incidence of child runaway episodes which are at
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Florida Senate - 2005 SB 2292
21-1522-05
1 least 50 percent below the rates experienced in the rest of
2 the state.
3 (e) In addition to providing a comprehensive
4 assessment, the program must provide, 100 percent of the time,
5 any or all of the following services that are indicated
6 through the assessment: residential care; transportation;
7 behavioral health services; recreational activities; clothing,
8 supplies, and miscellaneous expenses associated with caring
9 for these children; necessary arrangements for or provision of
10 educational services; and necessary and appropriate health and
11 dental care.
12 (f) A minimum of 90 percent of the children who are
13 served in this program must be satisfied with the services and
14 living environment.
15 (g) A minimum of 95 percent of the caregivers must be
16 satisfied with the program.
17 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2005.
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19 *****************************************
20 SENATE SUMMARY
21 Provides that a child may be moved from one residence to
another for certain specified reasons. Requires that a
22 child be given the opportunity for a full academic year
of appropriate instruction. Requires that an educational
23 assessment be completed if a child is not demonstrating
academic progress. Requires an educational staffing to
24 review the results of the assessment. Requires that a
clear and specific plan be developed to help the child
25 make educational progress. Provides specified
satisfaction levels for certain services.
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.