DCF Child Care 40 Hour Certification- Rules and Regulations (Florida) 2016

Florida Law - Bill passed and signed by FL legislators Rules - implement, interpret, and describe law Ordinance - local laws that only apply within jurisdiction Regulation - law, rule, or ordinance to regulate conduct Florida Statutes - permanent collection of the states laws, updated annually Florida Administrative Code - official compilation of administrative rules for the state of Florida. F.A.C Rules developed by DCF Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening - licensing authority, regulates licensed child care facilities in most counties in Florida Local County Government Agencies - Effect childcare through Zoning and Building, Septic and Well, Etc... City/Municipal Police Dept. - Effect childcare through back ground checks and screenings of child care providers County, City, Municipal Fire Safety Inspector - Effect childcare through annual fire safety inspections FL Department of Law Enforcement - Effect childcare through background checks and screening personnel FL Department of Education - Effect childcare through voluntary pre-kindergarten programs What do laws, and regulation agencies try to protect children from? - Abuse, neglect, injury and exploitation. Local Licensing Agencies - found in some counties, regulate and enforce rules and local ordinances which must meet or exceed state standards. How are statues organized? - Titles, Chapters, Sections, Sun Sections, Paragraphs, Sub Paragraphs, and Sub Sub Paragraphs s.402.304 (2)(d)1.f., Florida Statutes "section".on(subsection)(paragraph)bparagraph., FL Statutes The statues that govern child care are found in which title? - Title XXIX (29) of Public Health The statues that govern child care are found in which chapters? - 402 Health and Human Services Summary of 402.26 (1) - -parents are working outside of the home so childcare is impartant for FL citizens economic well being. State needs to respond to citizen concerns and the need to protect children's health and welfare How does the state want to promote growth and stability of the child care industry? - By developing a regulatory framework and promoting the development of child care options 402.26(3) and 402.26(4) Summary of 402.26(5) - Accessibility of child care opportunities for children at risk, economically disadvantaged and others traditionally disenfranchised from society. Define disenfranchised - deprive a person of a legal right or privilege. Primary role of child care professional - -keep children safe -provide good nutrition and a healthy environment -create a quality environment for learning Gold Seal Quality Care Program - designation given to a child care program that is accredited by a nationally recognized association. Gold Seal Quality Care additional criteria includes - -No class I violations within 2 years preceding its application -No more than 3 class II violations with the 2 years preceding its application -Not cited for the same class III violation 3 or more times, and failed to correct after 1 year of citation Child Care - care, protection and supervision of a child for a period of less than 24 hours on a regular basis, which supplements parental care, enrichment, and health supervision for the child in accordance with his or her individual needs, and for which a payment, fee or grant is made for care. (Defined in 402.302) Child Care Facility - any child care center or child care arrangement which provides child care for more than 5 children unrelated to the operator and receives a payment, fee or grant for any of the children receiving care, whether or not operated for profit. Child Care Personnel - all owners, operators, employees. and volunteers working in a child care facility. -Does not include people that work after hours when children are not present. Child Welfare Provider - a licensed child-caring or child-placing agency Drop-in Child Care - child care provided occasionally in a child care facility in a shopping mall or business establishment where the child is in care for no more than a 4-hour period and the parent remains on the premises of the business at all times. Evening Child Care - child care provided during the evening hours and may encompass the hours of 6 pm to 7 am to accommodate parents who work late night shifts. Family day care home - occupied residence in which child care is regularly provided for children from at least 2 unrelated families which receives a payment fee or grant. Substantial compliance - level of adherence which is sufficient to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of all children under care. Greater than minimal adherence but less than absolute adherence Operator - any ONSITE person ultimately responsible for the overall operation of a child care facility Owner - person who is licensed to operate the child care facility What kinds of records are assessed during a screening for hiring personnel? - - Employment history - statewide criminal records checks (Dept of Law Enforcement), -Federal criminal records checks Secretary of the Department of Children and Families - Mike Carroll 402.305 - Licensing Standards Minimum standards for personnel - -good moral character based on screening -minimum age requirement. Over 21 to be an operator. Over 16 to be personnel. --minimum training requirements (40 clock hour into course) Staff -to-Children Ratio - birth to 1 year - 1:4