FL S2518

Increases monthly room and board rates for foster parents and caregivers effective July 1, 2026, with new rates of $663.03 for children ages 0-5, $680.01 for ages 6-12, and $795.94 for ages 13-21

Converts the Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program into a permanent program and increases monthly financial assistance for participating former foster youth from $1,517 to $1,717

Creates the Foster and Family Support Grant Program to award grants to faith-based nonprofit organizations for recruiting foster and adoptive families and providing trauma-informed support services in underserved and rural communities

Authorizes the Department of Children and Families to contract with Valerie's House, Inc. to provide free grief support services, including counseling and mentoring, for children ages 4-19 who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling

Revises nursing home Medicaid reimbursement parameters, including increasing the Quality Incentive Program payment pool from 10 percent to 14.77 percent and changing the quality score threshold to 33 percent of available points