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.