November 2, 2007

Preliminary Report of the Florida DCF Taskforce on Child Protection

As a result of issues which specifically arose in a parental abduction case involving a child named Courtney Clark, but which were also reflected in other historical and more recent cases, Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Robert A. Butterworth established the Task Force on Child Protection to examine the gaps currently existing in Florida's child protection system, including efforts at reunification, stabilization and permanency during foster care, and supervision. Further, to correct recurring problems evidenced by these cases and suggested by on-going feedback from those involved in the system, the Task Force was specifically tasked with identifying administrative, policy, legislative, education, and training efforts which must be undertaken to ensure the safety of Florida's children. The Task Force recommended wide-spread, institutionalized reforms for child welfare in Florida.

Some of the individualized recommendations for the Department of Children and Families include:

• Develop and propose legislation which will strengthen and standardize background screening requirements for all potential caregivers for children
   

• Enhance judicial oversight of children in non-relative placement
   

• Explore the impact of licensing requirements for non-relative caregivers
   

• Work in conjunction with other groups - Community-Based Care Lead Agencies, Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement - to integrate coordinated programs