DCF Rules and Regulations

The Florida State Statutes

Made up by the individual laws which pass the Legislature. Each year, new statutes

appear for the first time, some are

rewritten or amended, and some stay the

same. Statutes are written and proposed

by the Florida Senate and House of

Representatives. They are signed into law

by the governor.

The Florida Administrative Code

Rules created by the Florida Department of Children and Families and enforced by Florida Department of Children and Families and many other state and local agencies. Staff members of DCF write the rules and regulations found in it.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Was passed in 1990, prohibits discrimination of people

who are handicapped or disabled. It calls for "reasonable accommodation" of the needs of people who are handicapped or disabled.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act

How many titles does the Florida Statutes contain?

48

Under what title is the statutes that govern child care?

14 (XXIX)

How many chapters are the Florida State Statutes divided into

1013

DCF Website?

www.myflorida.com/childcare

Role of a child care professional?

Keep children safe, provide good nutrition and a healthy environment, and create an environment for learning.

What agencies work w/cc facilities to

improve the quality of child care in FL?

-Local Law Enforcement

-FDLE (Federal Dep. Law Enforcement)

-FBI

What kinds of records are checked during screening? (4)

Employment history, local criminal records, fingerprints (state criminal records), and federal criminal records (FBI)

The DCF main offices are located in...

Tallahassee

What is "substantial compliance"?

The level of adherence which is sufficient to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of all children under care.

Older children need __ staff

less

Younger children need __ supervision

more

Confidentiality

Protecting private info. by making sure the public does not have access to it.

Newsletters

informational documents that are distributed on a regular basis to parents to

inform them of upcoming and past events.

Corners

Refers to areas of the childcare facility that has special info. and products from activities w the children. Provide updates to parents on meals and other activities.

Portfolios

collections of a child's activities and work. They are used to share the interests and accomplishments of the child with the family. EX: closing circle time folders

The best ways to discipline are...

-Redirecting

-Follow disciplinary policies of your center

-Take DCF online class

If a local licensing agency denied the application,

the applicant has__ days to file a written request for a hearing.

15

The local licensing agency must hold that hearing

within__days of the applicant's request.

30

If the denial stands, the applicant may __ to

the Department of Children and Families. The

Department of Children and Families' hearing must

be held as described by statute.

appeal

The DCF renews its approval __

every year

Local licensing agencies must provide the

Department of Children and Families with data

about child care in its county___

each year

If there is a change in ownership, is a new license required?

yes

Applicants must disclose their ___ to the DCF

social security

Can a license be issued to a facility that has a staff member who failed the screening process?

no

A temporary (provisional) license may be issued to a facility which is out of compliance but can

complete corrective action within ___months.

6

___ can be levied against a licensee that is out of compliance.

Fines

Hearing must be held within __days of

request by a local licensing agency.

30

Disciplinary actions must follow procedures outlined in the__

Florida State Statutes

Where can you find out what kinds of things the Department of Children and Families might look for during an inspection?

The Florida Administrative Code

Injuction

An injunction is a court order that stops someone from continuing an activity. If the person does not stop doing

the activity named in the injunction, they are in contempt of court and

will face further discipline, usually in the form of fines. "Enjoins" in

this statute means "prohibits."

What is considered a misdemeanor?

Lies about a child care program on an application

• Operates, or attempts to operate, without a license

• Operates, or attempts to operate, with a suspended, revoked,

or terminated license

• Lies about being licensed

• If a person lies to a parent or guardian, a licensing authority,

or law enforcement about:

- The number of children in care

- The part of the home used for child care

- Credentials

- Screening

- Training

Define a disability

a physical or mental impairment that

substantially limits one or more major life

activities; Has a record of such an impairment; or

Is regarded as having such an impairment.

ADA provides intervention services for...

infants and toddlers (ages birth to 3 years)

with special needs and their families.

You__ charge more for services provided to child with disabilities.

may not

Where can you find out more about serving populations

with special needs?

DCF Special Needs

Appropriate Practices

Rules

Specific details drawn up by an agency to support a law, and enforced by the court.

Regulations

A legal decision that is enacted by a state agency.

Legislation

A body of ppl whose job is to enact laws.

Parent

A person who has legal custody of a child.

Ordinance

A piece of legislation that is passed at a local level.

Legislation

A document that is discussed or voted on by the State legislature of Federal House and Senate.

Custodial Parent

A parent who has been awarded custody of children after a divorce.

Guardian

A person who is declared legally responsible for the care of a child by a court of law.

Minimal Standards

These are basic requirements permitted by law or authority to operate a childcare program.

Regulatory Agencies

A govt. body responsible for directing activities according to rule, principle or law.

State law

A bill that has been passed by the State House and Senate and approved by the Governor.

Code

At the state level, this includes rules set forth in the Florida Administrative Code.

There must be a staff member at least __ yrs of age on the premises at all times.

21

There must be ONE child care personnel for

every: 4 children

Birth to 1 year

There must be ONE child care personnel for

every: 6 children

1-2

There must be ONE child care personnel for

every: 11 children

2-3

There must be ONE child care personnel for

every: 15 children

3-4

There must be ONE child care personnel for

every: 20 children

4-5

There must be ONE child care personnel for

every: 25 children

5+

Transportation driver must have...

Driver's license and physical

Child discipline:

redirect, modeling, and reminding

Parental and legal guardian access:

Must have access in person and by phone during the time the child is in care.

October 1, 1992 - must have a minimum of __ square feet of usable indoor floor space for each child.

(held a valid license)

20

A child care facility that did not hold a licensed prior to October 1, 1992, must have a minimum of __square feet of usable indoor floor space for each child.

35

DCF requires __ sq feet of safe play area per child.

45

Outdoor Areas: Population over 1 year of age

Fences 4 feet high with shade.

A minimum outside play area shall be

provided for __of this identified

population

half

__ inches between children napping.

18

SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Bathroom: 1 toilet and 1 basin for every__ children.

15

Playground equipment should be...

anchored

In-service training

10 hours

Staff Credentials:29 children

1 credentialed staff

Staff Credentials:39 children

1 credentialed staff

Staff Credentials:42 children

2 credentialed staff

Staff Credentials: 59 children

2 credentialed staff

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Medication Records

-name of the child

-name of the medicine

-time

-amount of dosage

-signature of parent or legal guardian

Child care during evening hours

6 pm-7 am

Does the director need to be a credentialed staff?

No

School age child

child at least five years of age by September 1 and who is attending grades K-5

Do after school programs have to be licensed?

No

Child care professionals must adhere to what chapters of the Florida Administrative Code?

65C-20 or 65C-22