Florida Case Management Certification – State of
Florida Department of Children
SECTION I: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS & FLORIDA STATUTES (CHAPTER 39)
Questions 1–20
1. According to Chapter 39, Florida Statutes, when a child is placed in
out-of-home care, the Case Plan must be prepared within how many
days after removal and filed with the court at least how many days
before the disposition hearing?
A. 30 days / 3 days
B. 60 days / 3 days
C. 72 days / 10 days
D. 90 days / 10 days
Correct Answer: B. 60 days / 3 days
Rationale: Florida Statute Chapter 39 requires that the Case Plan be
prepared within 60 days of the child's removal from the home and filed
with the court at least 3 days before the disposition hearing. This
timeline ensures the court has adequate information to make informed
decisions regarding the child's permanency while allowing sufficient
time for the family to participate in case planning.
2. The primary purpose of the case plan is to:
A. Identify vulnerable children for protective services
B. Allow for timely case closure
C. Identify family accountability for maltreatment
D. Provide treatment to enhance caregiver protective capacities
, Correct Answer: D. Provide treatment to enhance caregiver
protective capacities
Rationale: The case plan is fundamentally a therapeutic and
rehabilitative tool designed to enhance caregiver protective capacities
and address the conditions that led to the child's removal or need for
services. While accountability and identification of risks are
components, the ultimate purpose is to strengthen the family's ability
to safely care for the child.
3. Jurisdiction for reviewing the status of a child and the progress
being made towards permanency is held by:
A. Children's Legal Services (CLS) attorney
B. Court
C. Agency Administration
D. The Department of Children and Families
Correct Answer: B. Court
Rationale: The court retains jurisdiction over dependency cases and
is responsible for reviewing the child's status and progress toward
permanency. While DCF and CLS provide recommendations and
services, the court ultimately holds jurisdiction and makes judicial
determinations regarding the child's welfare.
4. Unless otherwise ordered, case plan compliance expires how many
months after the child's removal?
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
,C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: D. 12 months
Rationale: Case plan compliance expires 12 months after the child's
removal unless otherwise ordered by the court. The 12-month
timeframe aligns with federal and state requirements for timely
permanency and reflects the importance of addressing family issues
within a reasonable period.
5. The level of proof required at a termination of parental rights (TPR)
hearing is:
A. Preponderance of evidence
B. Probable cause
C. Clear and convincing evidence
D. Beyond a reasonable doubt
Correct Answer: C. Clear and convincing evidence
Rationale: Termination of parental rights hearings require clear and
convincing evidence, which is a higher standard than preponderance of
evidence but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt. This elevated
standard reflects the severe and permanent nature of TPR and the
fundamental rights at stake for parents.
6. A Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) may be filed without
offering a case plan if:
A. The parents are involved in a custody dispute
B. Both parents have prior substantiated abuse or neglect
, C. Both parents have moved frequently since the case was opened
D. The parents have engaged in egregious conduct toward the child or
their sibling
Correct Answer: D. The parents have engaged in egregious
conduct toward the child or their sibling
Rationale: Florida law permits filing for TPR without offering a case
plan when parents have engaged in egregious conduct toward the child
or a sibling. Egregious conduct includes severe abuse, chronic abuse, or
other extreme circumstances where offering reunification services
would be futile or contrary to the child's safety.
7. According to Florida law, what is the first choice for placement
when a child is removed from their home?
A. Licensed foster home
B. Group care facility
C. Relative's home
D. Emergency shelter
Correct Answer: C. Relative's home
Rationale: Florida law prioritizes placement with relatives when a
child is removed from their home. Relative placement helps maintain
family connections, cultural continuity, and often provides greater
stability for the child during out-of-home care.
8. What is the standard of proof at a shelter hearing?
A. Preponderance of evidence
B. Probable cause
Florida Department of Children
SECTION I: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS & FLORIDA STATUTES (CHAPTER 39)
Questions 1–20
1. According to Chapter 39, Florida Statutes, when a child is placed in
out-of-home care, the Case Plan must be prepared within how many
days after removal and filed with the court at least how many days
before the disposition hearing?
A. 30 days / 3 days
B. 60 days / 3 days
C. 72 days / 10 days
D. 90 days / 10 days
Correct Answer: B. 60 days / 3 days
Rationale: Florida Statute Chapter 39 requires that the Case Plan be
prepared within 60 days of the child's removal from the home and filed
with the court at least 3 days before the disposition hearing. This
timeline ensures the court has adequate information to make informed
decisions regarding the child's permanency while allowing sufficient
time for the family to participate in case planning.
2. The primary purpose of the case plan is to:
A. Identify vulnerable children for protective services
B. Allow for timely case closure
C. Identify family accountability for maltreatment
D. Provide treatment to enhance caregiver protective capacities
, Correct Answer: D. Provide treatment to enhance caregiver
protective capacities
Rationale: The case plan is fundamentally a therapeutic and
rehabilitative tool designed to enhance caregiver protective capacities
and address the conditions that led to the child's removal or need for
services. While accountability and identification of risks are
components, the ultimate purpose is to strengthen the family's ability
to safely care for the child.
3. Jurisdiction for reviewing the status of a child and the progress
being made towards permanency is held by:
A. Children's Legal Services (CLS) attorney
B. Court
C. Agency Administration
D. The Department of Children and Families
Correct Answer: B. Court
Rationale: The court retains jurisdiction over dependency cases and
is responsible for reviewing the child's status and progress toward
permanency. While DCF and CLS provide recommendations and
services, the court ultimately holds jurisdiction and makes judicial
determinations regarding the child's welfare.
4. Unless otherwise ordered, case plan compliance expires how many
months after the child's removal?
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
,C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: D. 12 months
Rationale: Case plan compliance expires 12 months after the child's
removal unless otherwise ordered by the court. The 12-month
timeframe aligns with federal and state requirements for timely
permanency and reflects the importance of addressing family issues
within a reasonable period.
5. The level of proof required at a termination of parental rights (TPR)
hearing is:
A. Preponderance of evidence
B. Probable cause
C. Clear and convincing evidence
D. Beyond a reasonable doubt
Correct Answer: C. Clear and convincing evidence
Rationale: Termination of parental rights hearings require clear and
convincing evidence, which is a higher standard than preponderance of
evidence but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt. This elevated
standard reflects the severe and permanent nature of TPR and the
fundamental rights at stake for parents.
6. A Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) may be filed without
offering a case plan if:
A. The parents are involved in a custody dispute
B. Both parents have prior substantiated abuse or neglect
, C. Both parents have moved frequently since the case was opened
D. The parents have engaged in egregious conduct toward the child or
their sibling
Correct Answer: D. The parents have engaged in egregious
conduct toward the child or their sibling
Rationale: Florida law permits filing for TPR without offering a case
plan when parents have engaged in egregious conduct toward the child
or a sibling. Egregious conduct includes severe abuse, chronic abuse, or
other extreme circumstances where offering reunification services
would be futile or contrary to the child's safety.
7. According to Florida law, what is the first choice for placement
when a child is removed from their home?
A. Licensed foster home
B. Group care facility
C. Relative's home
D. Emergency shelter
Correct Answer: C. Relative's home
Rationale: Florida law prioritizes placement with relatives when a
child is removed from their home. Relative placement helps maintain
family connections, cultural continuity, and often provides greater
stability for the child during out-of-home care.
8. What is the standard of proof at a shelter hearing?
A. Preponderance of evidence
B. Probable cause
