Babysitting, Social Media, Overnight Care and Travel

DCF Operating Policies and Procedures

CFOP 170-11, Chapters 6-8, Effective July 26, 2016

On July 25, 2016, revisions to the Department of Children and Families Operating Procedure (CFOP) that address Normalcy, Babysitting and Out of Town Travel/Vacation went into effect for children in out of home care. The policies and procedures apply to all staff of the Department, Community-Based Care lead agencies and subcontracted providers involved with children in out-of-home care. This includes child protective investigators, case managers, Children's Legal Services attorneys, foster families, relatives, nonrelatives and Department program specialists. CFOP 170-11. The policies of the local Community Based Care providers must not be more restrictive than the policies and procedures outlined in these chapters. The following information is a summary of Chapters 6, 7, and 8 of CFOP 170-11.

Chapter 6

Normalcy

Normalcy focuses on allowing opportunities for social development, recreation, academic growth and positive life experiences, based on a child's desires and developmental, emotional, physical and other needs. Children in out of home care should have the opportunity and be encouraged to fully participate in activities in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities. Caregivers are empowered to make decisions using a reasonable and prudent parent standard. While caregivers have authority to make decisions about the normal activities of children in their care, the caregiver does need to consider the known parental wishes in these decisions. The decisions also must not contradict an existing court order. The assigned case manager is to make diligent efforts to keep the parent(s) informed and involved.

Social media, computer, cell phone

Children are permitted to participate in social media, computer usage, and have a cell phone as long as permission has been given by the caregiver. Caregivers shall apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard to decision-making regarding social media usage. Children who are in care have the right to self-disclose information about themselves on social media. Caregivers should educate children regarding the potential impact and ramifications of such disclosure. Additionally, caregivers are permitted to post pictures on social media including children placed in their care but they may not use the child's last name or identify the child as residing in out-of-home care.

Driving

Support of a child's efforts to learn to drive should be based on the child's age and maturity.

Chapter 7

Babysitting

Clarifications and change of expectations related to the use of babysitters by out of home caregiver are covered by chapter 7.  For example, "babysitting" does not include overnight care or daily childcare.  Further, babysitting does not have to occur in a licensed setting and background screening is not required. As well, the caregivers are to use the reasonable and prudent parenting standard to ensure:

(1) Babysitter is suitable and appropriate for the age, developmental level, and behaviors of the child.

(2) Babysitter receives guidance on handling emergencies, including telephone numbers for themselves, child welfare professional, and physicians.

(3) Discipline and confidentiality policies for the child have been fully explained.

(4) Water safety precautions have been explained.

(5) Babysitters must be age 14 or older.

Staying home alone

Caregivers shall use the reasonable and prudent parenting standard when assessing a child's ability to stay home alone. Examples of factors to be considered by the caregiver include: child's physical and developmental age; child's knowledge of safety rules, emergency contacts and comfort level; child's history of trauma and reasons for entry into care; child's treatment recommendations and needs.

Overnight Care

Caregivers may allow a family or person who is well known to them to provide care for children placed in their care overnight. Substitute caregivers chosen by the caregiver for babysitting will be background screened for all stays exceeding three (3) nights. Caregivers shall notify the assigned case manager in advance of all overnight stays exceeding three (3) nights. The assigned case manager shall consult with the supervisor and other involved parties, such as the Guardian Ad Litem, when the overnight stay needs to exceed seven (7) nights.

Chapter 8

Out of Town Travel/Vacation

Caregivers should be encouraged to take children placed in their care on planned family vacations. When this travel involves visiting with friends or family of the caregivers, a background screening is not required. Caregivers must notify the assigned case manager of all out of town travel in advance of overnight stays exceeding three (3) nights and in accordance with existing court orders. The case manager shall make efforts to accommodate planned activities for the child's participation by assisting in coordination with the family and court, particularly as related to scheduled visitation. In some instances, additional court approval may be required prior to travel.

Contact your Child Advocacy Manager or Child's Best Interest Attorney if you have additional questions. DCF's Operating Procedures in their entirety or the chapters discussed above can be viewed at http://eww.dcf.state.fl.us/asg/Publications.shtml

http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/HorizontalTab/DeptOperatingProcedures.shtml