Fla. Admin. Code R. 65C-15.015 (2026)

(1) Policies and procedures set forth in this rule must be available for review by the Department prior to initial licensure. Any policies or procedures that are updated during the certification year must be submitted during certification or 30 days prior to the implementation of the new policy if proposed changes result in substantial changes that alters the original direction or intent of the programming of the child-placing agency. Policies may be submitted electronically.

(2) Written policies and procedures must be available to all employees and volunteers upon their beginning date of employment or service and, thereafter, as revised. Employees and volunteers must indicate in writing that they have read and understand the policies and procedures, relevant to their position or volunteer duties, which must be documented in their personnel file.

(3) The child-placing agency shall have written personnel policies and procedures developed and adhered to, to address the following:

(a) Personnel Policies. Must outline the recruitment, retention, and effective performance of qualified personnel.

1. Job descriptions and titles for each position, defining the qualifications, duties and lines of authority;

2. Salary scales;

3. A description of employee benefits;

4. Provisions which will encourage professional growth through supervision, orientation, in-service training, and staff development;

5. Annual evaluation of the work and performance of each staff member;

6. Procedures governing payment of bonuses or other extraordinary compensation to employees or contract providers of the agency.

7. Background screening requirements and mandatory reporting by staff to report all state, national, and federal arrests to the child-placing agency. The child-placing agency shall report all arrests to the Department.

8. Use of volunteers;

9. Steps taken when staff are named in an active abuse and neglect investigation with the Department; and

10. Description of the termination procedures established for resignation or discharge;

(b) Grievance process for families and employees that indicate timeframes for responding to the grievance, escalation process, and steps taken when the grievance involves allegations regarding the actions of an employee or volunteer.

(c) Fee for Service. Description of the services provided, the fees associated with each service, and the conditions under which fees are charged and waived. The policy must outline the agency’s requirement to provide referrals for individuals when fees for service are not waived.

(d) Confidentiality. Maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of records. The child-placing agency must also ensure that employees and volunteers receive written information on the restrictions relating to the disclosure of information about families.

(e) Abuse and Neglect Reporting. The requirement of any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a vulnerable child or adult is abused or neglected, must report such knowledge or suspicion to the Department’s Abuse Hotline. Policy should outline training requirements and acknowledgement forms.

(f) Emergency Management Plan. A comprehensive and effective plan to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and volunteers in the event of an emergency. The child-placing agency must annually review and update the plan. A current plan must be maintained by the child-placing agency and made available for inspection upon request. The emergency management plan must address the following:

1. Emergencies that may be reasonably expected in the licensed child-placing agency. Examples include natural or manmade disasters such as floods, hurricanes or tornados; contamination of the air, ground, water, or food; fire; public health hazards such as outbreak of communicable, reportable diseases; significant incidents such as death or injury; security incidents such as intruders, hostage situations, kidnapping, and workplace violence; human acts that may jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of employees, volunteers, or participants; or shelter-in-place in the event of an emergency that requires the house to lockdown.

2. Procedures for reporting emergencies or incidents.

3. Procedures to implement the plan and personnel notification; delegations of authority and lines of succession.

4. Identification of alternative facilities; procedures for evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments.

5. Procedures to account for all staff members and participants; and identification and protection of records and databases.

6. Procedures requiring the child-caring agency to confirm if the agency is in a flood zone and outline processes for when a flood warning is issued.

7. Procedures for reporting threats to designated individuals within the agency. Procedures should include reporting threats to the Department when the threat poses or causes harm to staff, families, and children.

(g) Placement. Must outline the child-placing agencies procedure to securing a legal placement for children that is safe and nurturing. All placements shall be in a safe environment where drugs and alcohol are not abused.

(h) Incident Reporting. The child-placing agency shall submit the “Incident Reporting” form CF 1959, (June 2025), which is herein incorporated by reference and available at https://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19469, to the Department as soon as practical, and in no event more than 24 hours after an incident outlined in the form has occurred.

(i) Transportation. The child-placing agency must outline procedures on the use of personal or agency issued vehicles to include:

1. Accountability of passengers to include identifying designated staff responsible for completing a censes count for children being transported, reporting any discrepencies found in the census count, checking the rear seat of all vehicles at the end of each transport, utilization of a tracking tool for all transportation involving children that captures name of transporter, date and time of transportation, name of child being transported, and indication if critical incidents occurred during the transportation.

2. Valid drivers license

3. Requirement of car insurance.

Rulemaking Authority 409.175 FS. Law Implemented 409.175 FS. History–New 12-19-90, Amended 10-27-93, Formerly 10M-24.025, Amended 11-14-16, 7-14-26.

Effective: 7/14/2026.