Bill > S1302

This bill amends Florida Statutes to enhance child welfare training and certification by requiring third-party credentialing entities seeking approval from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to administer field internship programs for students in Bachelor or Master of Social Work programs, thereby expanding the definition of "person providing child welfare services" to include these students. It also mandates that the DCF budget federal matching funds, specifically from Title IV-E, to provide educational financial support, such as tuition assistance and stipends, for child protective investigators and other individuals involved in child welfare services, aiming to improve workforce development. Furthermore, the bill requires the DCF to establish policies governing the supervision ratios for child protective investigators and other child welfare service providers, setting a default maximum ratio of 1 supervisor to 12 individuals if specific policies are not in place by October 1, 2014, all with the overarching goal of improving the quality of care for children and families.