65C-15.021. Services to Families and Children in Foster Care

(1) Placement Services: (a) The child-placing agency shall provide placement services to families and children in foster care in accordance with Chapter 65C-30, F.A.C. (b) When making placement decisions, the child-placing agency shall consider the cultural, religious, and ethnic values of each child. (c) The child-placing agency shall adhere to The Multiethnic Placement Act. (d) Child placing agencies shall only place children removed from the legal custodian in an approved relative home, licensed foster home, adoptive home, or independent living program, as outlined in subsection 39.001(1), in addition to a non-relative home, licensed child-caring agency, or other state issued licensed home and/or facility that provides the most stable and potentially permanent living arrangement for the child. (2) Agency Services: (a) The child-placing agency shall provide services to children in foster care in accordance with Rule Chapter 65C-28, F.A.C. (b) Within 90 days of the child-placing agency taking a child into care for the purpose of adoption, the agency shall file a petition for termination of parental rights or for temporary custody. (3) Right to Privacy. The child-placing agency shall ensure that any public appearances in which the child is identified as a foster child are voluntary and that the written consent of the child’s parent, guardian or the case management organization’s authorized individual is on file. Consent forms shall be updated annually.