Overview

The main governing statute for child welfare is Chapter 39, Florida Statutes (F.S.) .

Child welfare also uses Chapter 435, F.S. , and portions of Chapter 402, F.S. , as follows:

• 402.04 – Award of scholarships and stipends: disbursement of funds; administration
• 402.22 – Education program for students who reside in residential care facilities operated by the Florida Department of Children and Families or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• 402.403 – Child Protection and Child Welfare Personnel Tuition Exemption Program
• 402.404 – Child Protection and Child Welfare Personnel Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Additional Resources

And Chapters 409, F.S. , as follows:

• 409.1454 – Motor Vehicle Insurance and Driver Licenses for Children in Care
• 409.153 – Implementation of Healthy Families Florida program
• 409.1676 – Comprehensive residential group care services to children who have extraordinary needs
• 409.1678 – Specialized residential options for children who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation

Rules covering child welfare can be found in 65C, Florida Administrative Code .

Child welfare program operating procedures are covered in CFOP in the 175 Family Safety (old series) and 170 Child Welfare (new series); as CFOPs are re-written, they are being migrated from the 175 to the 170 series.