FL S1994

Secretary of Children and Family Services shall establish the Child Protection Response Workgroup to develop and implement a differential response system for reports of child abuse or neglect, examining best practices from other states and the 2008 pilot program outcomes.

Workgroup must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 31, 2011, including implementation timeline, community-based care lead agency requirements, sheriff's office integration plan, and statewide family services survey.

Secretary shall establish the Child Welfare Professional Advisory Council (maximum 15 members) to review education and qualifications of child welfare staff across the department, sheriff's offices, and community-based care agencies.

Advisory council shall examine hiring practices requiring social work degrees, develop incentives for hiring and retaining staff with bachelor's or master's degrees in social work, and analyze benefits of requiring social work or accredited human services degrees.

Advisory council members serve without compensation but may receive per diem and travel reimbursement, with members appointed for terms not exceeding 4 years; council must submit annual reports to the Legislature beginning December 31, 2011.