(1) Foster care referrals involve concerns about possible licensing violations and regulatory infractions for children in an emergency shelter or out-of-home placement, or placement disruptions, case plan, and safety plan violations for children under the supervision of the Department or its authorized agents. Foster care referrals do not contain allegations of abuse, neglect or abandonment. If child maltreatment is identified or suspected during assessment of the foster care referral, the responder shall contact the Florida Abuse Hotline for the purpose of reporting the maltreatment and initiating a separate child protective investigation.
    (2) The unit or agency responsible for licensing the foster home, group home or emergency shelter home shall initiate the assessment within 72 hours of receipt of the referral.
    (3) In cases involving licensed care, the licensing unit or agency staff shall complete the assessment and determine corrective actions required, if any, within five (5) working days of the receipt of the referral.
    (4) In cases involving unlicensed relatives, non-relative caregivers, or families under the supervision of the Department or its authorized agents, the assigned child welfare professional shall complete the assessment and determine corrective actions required, if any, within five (5) working days of the receipt of the referral.
Rulemaking Authority 39.012, 39.0121, 409.175 FS. Law Implemented 39.201, 409.175(8)(b) FS. History-New 5-4-06, Amended 12-31-14, 1-7-19.