ICPC State Pages

Florida Parental Placements

Florida conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Adoption
• Other

Custodial Parent - Reunification

If child has been removed from the parent, Florida requires a home study evaluation before reunification:

•  F.S 39.522 (2)

  (2) In cases where the issue before the court is whether a child should be reunited with a parent, the court shall determine whether the parent has substantially complied with the terms of the case plan to the extent that the safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional health of the child is not endangered by the return of the child to the home.

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not subject to the ICPC if:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The court terminates jurisdiction over the child upon a change of custody to the non-custodial parent

 

 

F.S. 39.521 (1) (b)

 (b) If there is a parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdiction of the court who desires to assume custody of the child, the court shall place the child with that parent upon completion of a home study, unless the court finds that such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. Any party with knowledge of the facts may present to the court evidence regarding whether the placement will endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. If the court places the child with such parent, it may do either of the following:

1. Order that the parent assume sole custodial responsibilities for the child. The court may also provide for reasonable visitation by the noncustodial parent. The court may then terminate its jurisdiction over the child.

2. Order that the parent assume custody subject to the jurisdiction of the circuit court hearing dependency matters. The court may order that reunification services be provided to the parent from whom the child has been removed, that services be provided solely to the parent who is assuming physical custody in order to allow that parent to retain later custody without court jurisdiction, or that services be provided to both parents, in which case the court shall determine at every review hearing which parent, if either, shall have custody of the child. The standard for changing custody of the child from one parent to another or to a relative or another adult approved by the court shall be the best interest of the child.

 

 

 

Proof of Paternity Required for Placement with Paternal Relative:

• Yes: Copy of marriage license if mother was married at time of birth or conception of child, birth certificate signed by the father, court order, administrative determination of paternity, or affidavit of paternity .

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Florida performs priority placements:

• Yes

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• Other: We will not approve a home study without all required criminal and abuse records checks.

Florida determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Other

Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study:

Criminal Records Checks

Florida requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption
• Parent
• Other, specified below

Types of Checks (Criminal & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Florida requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks:
Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR)

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 31-60 days
• Local/County: 31-60 days

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Signature verifying background check completed

Wait Time - (License/Certification/Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required:

• 1 yearF.S. 409.175(6)(j) Except for a family foster group home having a licensed capacity for more than five children, the department may issue a license that is valid for longer than 1 year but no longer than 3 years to a family foster home that: 1. Has maintained a license with the department as a family foster home for at least the 3 previous consecutive years; 2. Remains in good standing with the department; and 3. Has not been the subject of a report of child abuse or neglect with any findings of maltreatment. A family foster home that has been issued a license valid for longer than 1 year must be monitored and visited as frequently as one that has been issued a 1-year license. The department reserves the right to reduce a licensure period to 1 year at any time.

Florida offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Other: Classes are offered regularly, but scheduling varies within contracted state case management agencies.