1. The Context of Your Work as a Child Welfare Professional
Module 8
The Context of Your Work as a Child Welfare Professional
8.0.1

2. Learning Objectives
8.0.2

3. Agenda
8.0.3

4. DCF’s Mission and Legal Basis
Unit 8.1
DCF’s Mission and Legal Basis
8.1.4

5. Learning Objectives
8.1.5

6. + + = Unsafe Child Formula for the Unsafe Child Danger Threat
Vulnerable Child
Formula for the Unsafe Child +
Danger Threat +
Diminished Caregiver Protective Capacities
8.1.6
= Unsafe Child

7. The State’s Protective Role with Children
8.1.7

8. FL DCF Mission
Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economically Self-Sufficient Families, and Advance Personal and Family Recovery and Resiliency.
8.1.8

9. Florida’s Child Protection System
The legislated system that achieves DCF’s mission related to child welfare.
Four core principles mandated by Florida Statute
8.1.9

10. CPS: Principle 1
The health and safety of the children served shall be of paramount concern.
8.1.10

11. CPS: Principle 2
The prevention and intervention by the child protection system should engage families in constructive, supportive, and non-adversarial relationships.
8.1.11

12. CPS: Principle 3
The prevention and intervention should intrude as little as possible into the life of the family, be focused on clearly defined objectives, and keep the safety of the child or children as the paramount concern.
8.1.12

13. CPS: Principle 4
The prevention and intervention should be based upon outcome evaluation results that demonstrate success in protecting children and supporting families.
8.1.13

14. 8.1.14

15. Activity What’s the Key?
8.1.15

16. Reading the Statutes Citation Type Numeric example
Chapter Number/Title 39
Sections
39.001
Subsections:
39.001(7)
Paragraphs
39.001(7)(c)
Subparagraphs
39.001(7)(c) 4
Sub, subparagraphs
39.001(7)(c) 4 a.
8.1.16

17. Activity Using the Florida Statutes
8.1.17

18. Five Federal Statutes Important In Your Work
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA)
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Multi Ethnic Placement Act
8.1.18

19. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
8.1.19

20. Activity Federal Statutes Impacting Your Work
8.1.20

21. Evidence
8.1.21

22. Activity Show Me the Evidence
8.1.22

23. A Few More Pieces Related to Evidence
Probable Cause
Preponderance of the Evidence
Clear and Convincing
8.1.24

24. Roles and Safety Methodology
Unit 8.2
Roles and Safety Methodology
8.2.25

25. Learning Objectives
8.2.26

26. Activity Child Welfare Roles
8.2.27

27. Florida’s Safety Methodology Page 1
8.2.28

28. Florida’s Safety Methodology Page 2
8.2.29

29. Florida’s Safety Methodology Page 3
8.2.30