The purpose of these guidelines are to provide guidance on the release of child records which was enacted into law July 1, 2009. Section 39.00145, F.S. prescribes the process for releasing case records of children. Key components of the legislation include: • maintenance of complete and accurate records • minimum standards for record content • […]

The foster care system, and more broadly child welfare in the U.S., is a complex and diverse system with wide-ranging factors influencing a child’s well-being, their placement in out-of-home care, and the resulting life outcomes. In recent years, the number of children in foster care has grown, now reaching approximately 670,000 children in 2016. This analysis was […]

This packet contains introductory information about two scales meant to help you measure youth empowerment and participation.  The Youth Efficacy/Empowerment Scale – Mental Health was designed to assess youth perceptions of efficacy with respect to managing their mental health conditions as well as utilizing services and supports.  The Youth Participation in Planning Scale assesses youth […]

The U.S. Department of Education today released a new toolkit to inspire and support current and former foster youth pursuing college and career opportunities. The Foster Care Transition Toolkit includes tips and resources intended to help foster youth access and navigate social, emotional, educational and skills barriers as they transition into adulthood. Currently, there are […]

Homeless youth and youth in foster care are often unprepared for the transition to adulthood. Given the economic benefits of college, GAO was asked to examine the college experiences of these vulnerable youth. GAO examined (1) college enrollment and completion for foster and homeless youth, (2) the extent to which challenges these youth face affect […]

This report highlights the research on the disparities that exist between LGBTQ foster youth and their non-LGBTQ peers, as well as the compounding effects these factors have in relation to other intersecting factors including race, ethnicity, culture and language. It also discusses successful policy strategies and state examples of efforts that are addressing system and practice obstacles. Out of the Shadows: […]

Historically, foster youth in Florida who turn 18 have celebrated their milestone birthday with a push out the door and well wishes shortly after they blow out their candles. They could opt for a monthly stipend of around $1,200 if they chose to continue their education full time, but the support of a home and […]

This law (SB 386) drops the automatic expunction age from 24 to 21. It also allows some young adults to seek expunction of their juvenile records prior to age 21 – if they haven’t committed a crime within the last 5 years. Additionally, it removes the 12-month limitation on seeking expunction of juvenile diversion records. […]

In March, 2016, the Board of the Governors of the Florida State University System realized the need to revise its Regulation that limited the use of the tuition exemption to a maximum of 120 credit hours in undergraduate courses – which was not correct according to current law. The revised Regulation will make it clear […]

See report here.

Stolen Future -The foster care system in the United States serves approximately 700,000 youths. Every year over 26,000 of those children age out of foster care. As those youths transition into adulthood, good credit is essential. If a foster youth’s credit has been damaged by identity theft, then that young person may not be able to get a job, apply for student loans, obtain […]

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This technical assistance brief intended to serve as an introductory guide for communities seeking an overview of the Miami CWBC(TM) model and a roadmap of key steps to take in support of implementation, maintenance, and sustainability of the model. Author: Jennifer Goldman Fraser, PhD, Cecilia Casanueva, PhD  

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Department of Education (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program, and Florida’s Office of Early Learning (FOEL), enter into this Interagency Agreement to coordinate services and supports for […]

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Alphabet Soup – Top Terms You Need to Know

Top Ten Actions Florida Can Take to Eliminate the Unnecessary Use of Psychotropic Medications

A Guide for Judges, Lawyers, and Child Advocates. Click for the complete PDF.

This publication of the Center for the Study of Social Policy examines numerous aspects of the use of class action litigation to achieve systemic reform of child welfare systems of care.

This paper dispels the myths that underlie the harmful practice of cutting off communication between adopted children and their siblings and other relatives.

The ABA Center on Children and the Law published this public policy brief to assist advocates and judges who work with children and youth who are prescribed psychotropic medication

The National Crittenton Foundation supports girls, young women, and their families living at the margin of the American dream overcome major obstacles rooted in circumstances not of their own making

This handbook provides a wealth of information for relatives who are caring for children. Topics include custody, benefits, education.

Children and young adults are entitled to a complete and accurate copy of their child welfare records under Florida Statute 39.00145. This publication explains the law and provides a form to help youth make a formal request for records.

This publication describes the services and supports that are available to youth with disabilities as they are preparing for adulthood. It is a must-read for anyone working with youth with disabilities who are in state care and provides numerous resources to help them start out on a path to success. Co-authored with Disabilities Rights Florida (formerly the Advocacy Center for Persons With Disabilities).

Inspired by Florida Youth SHINE, the Dept. of Children and Families issued this publication to inform children and youth of their rights while in state care or shelter care.

State and Local Child Abuse Death Review Teams began working in 2000 to learn from the deaths of children. The teams conduct detailed reviews of the facts and circumstances surrounding child abuse and neglect deaths in which a verified report of abuse or neglect was accepted by the Florida Abuse Hotline within the Department of Children and Family Services.

This publication is intended to help youth understand the dependency court system. It answers youth’s most common questions about being placed into state care, describes all of the pertinent players, defines key terms and discusses the types of hearings that take place in dependency court. By the ABA Bar Youth Empowerment Project with Florida’s Children First. 2008

The Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association (FSFAPA) is a statewide membership group for all foster and adoptive parents in Florida. All foster and adoptive parents in the State of Florida are automatically members of FSFAPA

The only national organization which strives to support foster parents and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children.

CAPTA -key federal child welfare statute.

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/laws/public_law/pdf/pl105_89.pdf

The Florida Guardian ad Litem State Association is a Non-Profit organization, whose mission is to improve the lives of abused and neglected children in Florida, by promoting the development, expansion and improvement of Guardian ad Litem Programs statewide.

CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA was created to use trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court. Today more than 900 CASA programs are in operation, with 70,000 women and men serving as CASA volunteers.

The National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) is a non-profit child advocacy and professional membership association dedicated to representation and protection of children in the legal system. The NACC provides training and technical assistance to child advocates and works to improve the child welfare, juvenile justice and private custody systems. NACC membership is comprised primarily of attorneys and judges, although the fields of medicine, social work, mental health, education, and law enforcement are also represented.

This publication by the Florida Institutional Legal Services is an important resource for parents or caregivers who are, or about to be incarcerated.

This document answers some of the questions most commonly asked by former foster youth who are pregnant or parenting. It was prepared by the University of Miami Children and Youth Law Clinic. September, 2008.

Some states have chosen to create ombudsman offices or offices of the child advocate to assist in providing oversight of children’s services. Information hosted by the National Conference of State Legislators.

The Center’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children through advancements in law, justice, and public policy.

This publication sets forth 8 goals for youth in foster care along with benchmarks for each goal that will indicate progress for educational success. By the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education.

The purpose of this paper is to assist local school districts, agencies and those agencies under contract with the Department of Education (DOE), that provide education services to students with disabilities in the implementation of the surrogate parent rule. (January 2004) Technical Assistance Paper on Educational Surrogate Parents

This report quantifies the foster care bias in juvenile detention decisions, and shows that a relatively simple intervention can eliminate it for juveniles facing low-level offenses and with no prior records. Produced by the Vera Institute of Justice, New York City Administration for Children’s Services. (June 2001)

This pamphlet encourages youth to plan for and envision themselves in college. It provides practical information on financial aid and steps to take to get ready for college. It was produced by the Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

The Briefing Book is a web-based “notebook” which contains a collection of recommendations, articles, reports and public records concerning children’s mental health needs. May, 2007 (Note: be sure the window on your computer screen is open as wide as possible to navigate through the book).

Report on the creation and implementation of local agreements between foster care agencies and school boards. Issued by Florida’s Children First and the University of Miami Children and Youth Law Clinic in July, 2007.