Section 65C-30.008 - Child Welfare Professional Responsibilities to Parents(1) For children remaining in the home, the case manager shall assist the parents in order to: (a) Resolve the situation that resulted in the need for a lead agency managed safety plan;(b) Understand and meet their child's needs, including the child's need for safety;(c) Maintain contact with the family's service providers, including medical and educational providers; and,(d) Work toward the case outcomes.(2) For a child in an out-of-home placement, the case manager shall assist the parents in maintaining continuing contact with the child through visitation, letters, phone calls, and any other methods to maintain contact, when in the best interest of the child. All contact shall be in accordance with any order of the court.(3) For a child in an out-of-home placement with a case plan goal of reunification, the case manager shall ensure the parents are provided with reunification services. Reunification services shall: (a) Identify and remedy the problems that have resulted in the removal of the child.(b) Assist the parents in making changes that will permit a safe reunification of the family and recommend services to ameliorate such problems.(c) Focus on the specific problem areas related to conditions for return that make it unsafe to return the child home.(d) Help the parent understand the possibility of permanent separation from the child if that becomes necessary.(4) For all children in the dependency system, regardless of placement, the case manager shall ensure that parents have the information necessary to contact their case manager. If a new case manager is assigned to a case, the new case manager shall notify the parent within two business days of case assignment and provide updated contact information.(5) The case manager shall document services offered, services utilized and the effects of these services, and shall communicate at least every 30 days with the parents on progress made or lack of progress. This information shall provide the basis for casework decisions and recommendations to the court.(6) If the court-approved goal of the case plan for a child in an out-of-home placement is not reunification, the case manager must continue reunification services until either released by the court or parental rights are terminated. The case manager has no obligation to offer or provide reunification services to the parents, unless it is necessary for the child's well-being or is otherwise court ordered.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 65C-30.008
Rulemaking Authority 39.012, 39.0121(13) FS. Law Implemented 39.0136, 39.6012(1) FS.
New 5-4-06, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 026, February 09, 2016 effective 2/25/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 238, December 10, 2019 effective 12/22/2019.New 5-4-06, Amended 2-25-16, 12-22-19.