What Does it Mean to Be an Unfit Parent in Florida? Florida Statute §751.05 states that the court must find that a parent has abandoned, abused, or neglected a child to find that a parent is unfit. A parent may also be found unfit if the parent has a mental illness or substance abuse problem.
If DCF believes your children have been abused, abandoned or neglected, or are at risk of imminent abuse, abandonment or neglect they can physically remove your children. Under Florida law there must be an emergency hearing held within twenty-four (24) hours of removal. This hearing is called a “shelter” hearing.Nov 4, 2019
Shevaun HarrisShevaun Harris joined the Department of Children and Families as the Secretary in February 2021 after a nearly two decade career at the Agency for Health Care Administration.
While the investigation is limited to 45 days, DCF can remain involved with your family for months and months by mandating that you participate in “ongoing services.”
Six months must have elapsed since the Court made the Care Order and you must be able to demonstrate that you have made positive progress during that time and changed your life for the better.
If you have problems that prevent you from continuing, you may call the Customer Call Center at 850-300-4323 during business hours for assistance.
Florida law requires anyone with information to report abuse directly to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or by using our online reporting tool .
The typical Florida Department of Children and Families Child Protective Investigator salary is $46,846 per year. Child Protective Investigator salaries at Florida Department of Children and Families can range from $38,201 - $52,689 per year.
Tiffany HurstTiffany Hurst, Inspector General (850) 413-6071OIG Online Complaint Form:Click HERE to file a complaint online.OIG Main Phone Line:Call (850) 413-6071OIG Mailing Address:Tiffany Hurst, Inspector General Public Service Commission 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850
Emergency reports continue to require an immediate screening decision and an investigatory response within two to four hours.
In Florida, everyone is a mandatory reporter. However, there are two types of reporters: Mandated Reporter (General):
Family integrity is one of the oldest constitutional rights we have. DCF must prove three main elements to win a TPR: a ground (there are several detailed by statute), that it made reasonable efforts to reunify and that termination of parental rights is in the child's best interests (this is the dispositional phase).Aug 23, 2018