HB 7081 Summary

• Renames the Department of Children and Family Services to the Department of Children and Families and restructures the department to operate through judicial circuit-based units called "circuits" instead of 15 service districts.

• Establishes program offices for adult protection, child care licensure, domestic violence, economic self-sufficiency, family safety, mental health, refugee services, substance abuse, and homelessness, each headed by a program director appointed by the secretary.

• Requires establishment of community alliances and community partnerships in each circuit to provide focal points for community participation in service governance, with membership representing diverse stakeholders and clients.

• Deletes the Family Builders Program and makes conforming changes throughout Florida Statutes to replace references to "district" with "circuit" and "Department of Children and Family Services" with "Department of Children and Families."

• Extends the expiration date of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation from October 1, 2011 to October 1, 2015 and revises licensure requirements for family day care homes and county responsibilities for licensing costs.