Section 414.56 - Office of Continuing CareThe department shall establish an Office of Continuing Care to ensure young adults who age out of the foster care system between 18 and 21 years of age, or 22 years of age with a documented disability, have a point of contact until the young adult reaches the age of 26 in order to receive ongoing support and care coordination needed to achieve self-sufficiency. Duties of the office include, but are not limited to:
(1) Informing young adults who age out of the foster care system of the purpose of the office, the types of support the office provides, and how to contact the office.(2) Serving as a direct contact to the young adult in order to provide information on how to access services to support the young adult's self-sufficiency, including, but not limited to, food assistance, behavioral health services, housing, Medicaid, and educational services.(3) Assisting in accessing services and supports for the young adult to attain self-sufficiency, including, but not limited to, completing documentation required to apply for services.(4) Collaborating with community-based care lead agencies to identify local resources that can provide support to young adults served by the office and to assist young adults in accessing these supports.(5) Developing and administering the Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program for foster youth and former foster youth as required under s. 409.1455.(6) In coordination with the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office, identifying supportive adults for children transitioning out of foster care to live independently in accordance with s. 39.6036. s.20, ch. 2021-169; s.2, ch. 2023-255.Amended by 2024 Fla. Laws, ch. 70,s 35, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by 2023 Fla. Laws, ch. 255,s 2, eff. 7/1/2023.Added by 2021 Fla. Laws, ch. 169, s 20, eff. 10/1/2021.