FL S0940

Removes requirement for Department of Children and Families to submit annual December 1 report to Legislature on residential group care placements, including data on placement criteria, evaluation numbers, and unavailable placements by county.

Removes provisions requiring detailed expenditure accounting for "Specialized Residential Group Care Services" funding by district, including bed numbers, rates, persons served, and enhanced services descriptions.

Creates Continuum of Care Advisory Council with 25 members appointed by the Secretary of Children and Families, foster/adoptive parent associations, and other state agencies to develop reform recommendations for out-of-home child care.

Requires advisory council to submit timeline, work plan, and cost estimate to Governor and Legislature by December 31, 2016, addressing residential group care admissions criteria, transition policies, licensing requirements, funding mechanisms, and staff training standards.

Directs Department of Children and Families to collect data on child assessment methods, placement types, service needs, quality standards, licensing requirements, payment rates, and outcome measures to inform the advisory council's work.