Policy Memoranda
This page contains memos issued by DCF since 2021.
Go to Policy Memoranda Archive for memos issued prior to 2021.
- Memo: CFOP 170-5, Ch 11: Substance Use/Misuse Consultations
Provides notification of notable updates to CFOP 170-5, Chapter 11: Substance Use/Misuse Consultations.
Mon 04 Apr 2024 16:24:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-10, Ch 8: Non-Licensed Caregiver Supports
Provides notification of notable updates to CFOP 170-10, Chapter 8: Non-Licensed Caregiver Supports.
Mon 11 Mar 2024 16:41:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-8: Plan of Safe Care
Provides information regarding updates made to CFOP 170-8: Plan of Safe Care.
Mon 26 Feb 2024 14:49:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-15: Federal and State Funding Eligibility
Provides notification of notable updates to CFOP 170-15, Federal and State Funding Eligibility; Ch. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 along with minor updates throughout the remaining chapters.
Wed 14 Feb 2024 18:40:00 EST - Memo: Eligibility Determination Approval Transition
Provides guidance on the transition of approval responsibility of certain title IV-E eligibility determinations within CCWIS/FSFN.
Mon 29 Jan 2024 09:17:00 EST - Memo: Adoption Processes
Provides instructions to child welfare professionals to create consistency in the adoption processes across the state.
Fri 26 Jan 2024 13:41:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-5, Ch. 3: Investigation Response Times; and Ch. 15: Interviewing Children
Provides notification of updates to CFOP 170-5, Ch. 3: Investigation Response Times; and Ch. 15: Interviewing Children.
Thu 25 Jan 2024 17:32:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-7: Develop and Manage Safety Plans
Provides notification of updates to CFOP 170-7, Ch. 2: Develop Present Danger Safety Plan, Ch. 3: Develop Impending Danger Safety Plan, and Ch. 11: Manage Safety Plan.
Thu 25 Jan 2024 17:26:00 EST - Memo: Voluntary Placement of Children for Private Adoption During an Open Investigation
Provides guidance regarding minimum requirements to close an investigation when a parent chooses to place a minor child for adoption through a private entity.
Thu 18 Jan 2024 17:18:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-1, Ch. 2, Sec. 2-3: Focus of Family Assessment
Provides guidance on the completion of the Family Functioning Assessment-Investigation (FFA-I) and Family Functioning Assessment- Ongoing (FFA-O).
Thu 28 Dec 2023 11:38:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-9, Ch. 4 and Ch. 6
Provides notification of updates to CFOP 170-9, Ch. 4: Completing the Family Functioning Assessment-Ongoing (FFA-O) and Ch. 6: Evaluating Family Progress.
Thu 28 Dec 2023 11:09:00 EST - Memo: Updates to the Human Trafficking Screening Tool
Provides notification of updates to language in the Human Trafficking Screening Tool (HTST) in Florida Administrative Code (Rule 65C-43.001 F.A.C.) and to notify of the HTST electronic tool launch.
Tue 12 Dec 2023 13:03:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-1, Ch. 17: Prevention Services (FFPSA)
Provides notification on the newly created CFOP 170-1, Ch. 17, Prevention Services, regarding the implementation of Title IV-E prevention services to promote, safeguard, and restore children and their families.
Tue 21 Nov 2023 16:04:00 EST - Memo: CBC Lead Agency Compliance
Advises Lead Agencies of actions and recommendations that may be needed to ensure compliance with requirements of state and federal regulations, as well as Department contracts.
Mon 06 Nov 2023 11:30:00 EST - Memo: Background Screening Clarification
Provides clarification of fingerprinting requirements for reunification, Level I foster parents, and rescinds memorandum dated July 23, 2010.
Fri 20 Oct 2023 15:27:00 EDT - Memo: Administrative Code Updates
Provides notification of recent changes to Florida Administrative Code that impact Florida’s Child Welfare System of Care.
Mon 25 Sep 2023 17:21:00 EDT - Memo: Individual Assessment of Parents with a Disability and Updates to CFOPs 170-2, 170-5, 170-7, and 170-9
Provides policy and practice updates regarding the child welfare professional’s responsibility to determine if a parent with a disability requires reasonable accommodations to benefit from services and programs in the dependency system along with updates to CFOPs 170-2, 170-5, 170-7, and 170-9.
Wed 20 Sep 2023 16:56:00 EDT - Memo: Protecting Youth from Divisive Concepts
Directive to ensure youth in our care are not exposed to inappropriate material by contracted or subcontracted partners or their employees.
Mon 02 Aug 2023 16:59:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-19: Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
Provides notification that the new CFOP 170-19, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), has been finalized and replaces CFOPs 175-54 and 175-55.
Mon 24 Jul 2023 16:20:00 EDT - Memo: FDLE-Registered Livescan Service Providers: Reminders and Best Practices
Reminder to our agency and contracted entities regarding FDLE-registered Livescan Service Provider’s policies and recommended best practices for the submission of fingerprints.
Mon 24 Jul 2023 16:19:00 EDT - Memo: 2023-2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for TANF
Provides updates to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines that take effect July 1, 2023.
Fri 07 Jul 2023 18:10:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-16, Ch. 9: CBC Lead Agency Direct Services Exemption Process
Provides notification of the new CFOP 170-16, Ch. 9, Community-Based Care Lead Agency Direct Services Exemption Process, which provides guidance regarding how Lead Agencies may request exemption from the statutorily required 35 percent threshold for direct provision of child welfare services.
Fri 07 Jul 2023 17:54:00 EDT - Memo: 2023 Foster Parent COLA Increase
Provides guidance to regions and Community-Based Care (CBC) Lead Agencies regarding the statutorily required foster parent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), effective January 1, 2023, for Level I-V foster parents.
Mon 06 Feb 2023 13:57:00 EST - Memo: Multiple County Assignment - REVISED
Clarifies the process for assigning intakes involving multiple counties.
Wed 27 Jul 2022 14:46:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-15, Federal and State Funding Eligibility
Provides notification of notable updates to Ch. 2, 3, and 4 of CFOP 170-15, Federal and State Funding Eligibility, along with minor updates throughout the remaining chapters.
Tue 05 Jul 2022 14:38:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-11, Chapter 6: Normalcy
Provides notification on immediate amendments to CFOP 170-11, Ch. 6, Normalcy, to clarify the appropriate use of baby monitors.
Fri 01 Jul 2022 19:05:00 EDT - Memo: Implementation of Ch. 2022-68, LoF (SB 7034)
Provides implementation guidance for CBCs regarding Ch. 2022-68, LoF (SB 7034), effective July 1, 2022.
Fri 01 Jul 2022 18:51:00 EDT - Memo: DCF Tuition and Fee Exemption
Provides information regarding updates to the DCF Tuition and Fee Exemption process and youth or young adults who may be eligible.
Fri 01 Jul 2022 18:24:00 EDT - Memo: Update to CFOPs 170-5, Ch. 1 and 170-2, Ch. 7
Provides notification of a policy update to CFOP 170-5, Ch. 1 and CFOP 170-2, Ch. 7 specifically regarding the automatic assignment of the initial response time of “immediate” for all intakes involving multiple counties.
Tue 28 Jun 2022 11:38:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-7, Ch. 13, Discontinuation of a Safety Plan relating to parents whose rights have been terminated
Advises of an update to CFOP 170-7, Ch. 13, Discontinuation of a Safety Plan. The update includes a new section 13-5.
Tue 01 Mar 2022 16:20:00 EST - Memo: Fingerprint Kits for Children in Out-of-Home Care
Provides notification on a pending revision to the requirement for obtaining fingerprint kits for children in out-of-home care.
Tue 22 Feb 2022 14:54:00 EST - Memo: Foster Home Capacity Practice Guidelines - Revision to Memo Dated February 8, 2022
Provides clarification to guidelines on foster home licensure and placement capacity practices for the placement of children and replaces the memo dated February 8, 2022.
Fri 18 Feb 2022 18:48:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-5, Ch. 7, Consultation and Teamwork with External Partners
Provides notification of updates to to CFOP 170-5, Ch. 7, Consultation and Teamwork with External Partners, which amends guidance around when children meeting certain criteria must be referred for a developmental assessment.
Tue 08 Feb 2022 16:22:00 EST - Memo: Foster Home Capacity Practice Guidelines
Provides guidelines on foster home placement capacity practices for placement of children. NOTE: See revised memo dated 2/18/2022
Tue 08 Feb 2022 15:50:00 EST - Memo: Updated At-Risk Child Care Application and Authorization
Provides notification of updates to the At-Risk Child Care Application and Authorization (form CF-FSP 5002, available in DCF Forms).
Wed 02 Feb 2022 16:57:00 EST - Memo: Psychotropic Medication Documentation
Provides direction to child welfare professionals regarding updating documentation of psychotropic medication in FSFN and rescinds “Psychotropic Medication FSFN Documentation: Court Order and Parental Consent” memo dated April 25, 2016.
Wed 02 Feb 2022 16:15:00 EST - Memo: Updates to CFOP 170-5, Ch. 4, Investigations Types and Use of the FFA, and Ch. 21, Assessing and Responding to Risk
Provides notification of policy updates to CFOP 170-5, Ch. 4, specifically introducing the Safe FFA-I and Unsafe FFA-I documentation protocol, and Ch. 21, incorporating changes to when the risk assessment shall be completed.
Wed 02 Feb 2022 15:33:00 EST - Memo: Statewide OTI Protocol
Provides notification of the development of a Statewide Out-of-Town Inquiry (OTI) Protocol.
Wed 26 Jan 2022 16:25:00 EST - Memo: Updates to the Streamline FFA-I Documentation Process
Provides advanced notification of policy updates related to the previously released Streamline Family Functioning Assessment (FFA) Documentation process.
Fri 14 Jan 2022 17:10:00 EST - Memo: 2022 Foster Parent COLA Increase
Provides guidance to regions and Community-Based Care (CBC) Lead Agencies regarding the statutorily required foster parent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), effective January 1, 2022, for Level II-V foster parents.
Thu 13 Jan 2022 06:48 :00 EST - Memo: Permanent Guardianship Staffing Checklist
Provides notification of the new Permanent Guardianship Staffing Checklist (CF-FSP 5456, available in DCF Forms) which is required prior to case closure on all cases with a goal of permanent guardianship.
Tue 16 Nov 2021 16:28 :00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-5, Ch. 27, Second Tier Consultations
Provides notification of a recent update to CFOP 170-5, Ch. 27, to align with rule 65C-29.003, F.A.C., which requires a 2nd tier consultation when a child death occurs and there are surviving siblings in the home.
Tue 16 Nov 2021 15:52 :00 EST - Memo: CIU Access to FCIC and NCIC
Clarifies the situations in which the Hotline’s Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) is authorized to access the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Tue 16 Nov 2021 15:34 :00 EST - Memo: Psychotropic Medication for Children in Out-of-Home Care
Reminds child welfare professionals on policy and procedure for the administration and utilization of psychotropic medication for children in out-of-home care.
Thu 04 Nov 2021 15:46 :00 EDT - Memo: Chafee Consolidated Appropriation Act Division X-Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act
Provides guidance on how the funds provided through the Division X- Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act will be administered, distributed, and documented.
Mon 23 Aug 2021 14:38:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-1, Ch. 11, Investigations Involving an Ongoing Case
Provides notification of updates to CFOP 170-1, Chapter 11, which incorporates Chapter 2020-138, Laws of Florida, authorizing the department to file specified petitions under certain circumstances and requiring the department to notify the court of certain reports.
Wed 16 Jun 2021 16:02:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-5, Ch. 4, Investigation Types and Use of the Family Functioning Assessment (FFA)
Provides notification of updates to CFOP 170-5, Chapter 4, which incorporates guidance around the new Streamline FFA Documentation process as recommended from the 2019 CPI Efficiencies Project.
Wed 16 Jun 2021 14:50:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-1, Ch. 16, Response to Special Conditions Referrals
Provides notification of a new chapter within CFOP 170-1. The new Chapter 16, Response to Special Conditions Referrals, provides additional guidance for special conditions referrals.
Wed 16 Jun 2021 12:40:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-1, Ch. 14, Completing a Diligent Search for Parent or Diligent Efforts to Locate Relatives
Provides notification of amended CFOP 170-1, Chapter 14, regarding documentation of diligent search efforts in the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).
Wed 16 Jun 2021 07:40:00 EDT - Memo: Discontinuing Virtual Home Visits, Including Adoption Home Visits, and Adjustments to Licensing Standards
Provides guidance for discontinuing the allowance for virtual home visits, including adoption home visits, and for adjustments to specific non-safety licensing standards.
Tue 15 Jun 2021 15:57:00 EDT - Memo: 2021-2022 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines for TANF - Effective July 1, 2021
Provides updates to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines that take effect July 1, 2021.
Tue 15 Jun 2021 08:52:00 EDT - Memo: CPI Assignments in FSFN
Provides direction on child protective investigation assignments in the Department’s Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).
Mon 14 Jun 2021 16:41:00 EDT - Memo: COVID-19 Vaccination Consents & Court Orders
Provides child welfare professionals guidance on procedures that must be complied with prior to the administration of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine to youth who are in out-of-home care or permanently committed to the Department.
Wed 07 Apr 2021 16:37:00 EDT - Memo: ‘GO’ for FSFN Enhancements - April 2021 Release
Informs child welfare stakeholders of the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) enhancements approved for implementation on April 2, 2021.
Fri 02 Apr 2021 07:27:00 EDT - Memo: ‘Get Ready’ for FSFN Enhancements coming April 2, 2021
Informs child welfare stakeholders of the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) enhancements scheduled for implementation on April 2, 2021.
Fri 12 Mar 2021 13:28:00 EST - Memo: Child Welfare Professionals Providing Care and Supervision for Children in a Child-Caring Agency
Provides guidance for when child welfare professionals provide care or supervision to children and youth placed in a child-caring agency (group home).
Fri 03 Mar 2021 09:33:00 EST - Memo: Falsification in the Workplace Training – Required
Advises of a new training on Falsification. The training is required for all child welfare professionals.
Fri 12 Feb 2021 11:29:00 ESTMemo: CFOP 170-5, Ch. 28, Investigative Response to Institutional Intakes (replaces CFOP 175-12)
Provides notification of a new chapter within CFOP 170-5, Child Protective Investigations, Chapter 28, Investigative Response to Institutional Intakes. This new CFOP chapter replaces CFOP 175-12.
Thu 11 Feb 2021 15:43:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-16, Ch. 7, Funeral Arrangements for Children in Foster Care (Replaces CFOP 175-70)
Provides updates to Funeral Arrangements for Children in Care policy. This new CFOP chapter replaces CFOP 175-70.
Thu 11 Feb 2021 14:59:00 EST - Memo: 'Go' for FSFN Enhancements deploying on January 29, 2021
Informs child welfare stakeholders that the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) enhancements are approved for implementation on January 29, 2021.
Fri 29 Jan 2021 15:00:00 EST - Memo: FSFN Enhancement Release Postponed - January 2021 Release
Informs child welfare stakeholders that FSFN enhancements scheduled for implementation on January 22, 2021 are being postponed until issues related to imaging and audit data are resolved.
Fri 22 Jan 2021 17:16:00 EST - Memo: 2021 Foster Parent Cost of Living Allowance Increase
Provides guidance to regions and Community-Based Care Lead Agencies (CBCs) regarding the statutorily required foster parent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), effective January 1, 2021, for Level II-V foster parents.
Fri 22 Jan 2021 15:39:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-16, Ch. 4, State Institutional Claims for Damages Caused by Shelter or Foster Child
Provides notification that CFOP 175-60 has been updated and converted to CFOP 170-16, Chapter 4, State Institutional Claims for Damages Caused by Shelter or Foster Child.
Thu 14 Jan 2021 07:01:00 EST - Memo: ‘Get Ready’ for FSFN Enhancements coming January 22, 2021
Informs child welfare stakeholders of the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) enhancements scheduled for implementation on January 22, 2021.
Tue 22 Dec 2020 16:47:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-5, Ch. 26, Supervisor Consultations
Provides notification of updates to CFOP 170-5, Child Protective Investigations, Ch. 26, Supervisor Consultations, which incorporates recommendations from the FDLE Sexual Abuse Taskforce as well as aligns with practice related to the FFA Streamlined Documentation.
Thu 03 Dec 2020 16:31:00 EST - Memo: Updates to the Adoption Benefits for State Employees Program
Provides notification that the program eligibility and application for the Adoption Benefits for State Employees Program has been updated and will be effective December 7, 2020.
Thu 03 Dec 2020 16:02:00 EST - Memo: SFY 2020-2021 Risk Pool Protocol
Informs Regional Managing Directors and CBC leaders of the process by which CBCs may apply for funding from the Risk Pool appropriations provided by the General Appropriations Act for state fiscal year 2020-2021.
Tue 17 Nov 2020 07:54:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-15, Ch. 10, Title IV-E Candidacy for In-Home Supervision Cases
Provides notification that CFOP 170-15, Federal and State Funding Eligibility, has been updated with the addition of Ch. 10, Title IV-E Candidacy for In-Home Supervision Cases, providing guidance on Title IV-E Federal claiming for in-home supervision cases.
Fri 13 Nov 2020 11:32:00 EST - Memo: CFOP 170-12, Ch. 3, Adoption Applicant Review Committee
Provides notification that CFOP 170-12, Adoption, has been updated with the addition of Ch. 3, Adoption Applicant Review Committee (AARC).
Tue 10 Nov 2020 16:35:00 EST - Memo: CPI File Cabinet Upload
Clarifies how Child Protective Investigators should organize attachments within the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).
Fri 16 Oct 2020 15:27:00 EDT - Memo: Discontinuing Name-Based Criminal History Checks for Employment or Licensure Effective October 21, 2020
Name-based criminal history checks and conditional background screening clearance for employment or placement of children in Child Welfare programs is discontinued Effective October 21, 2020.
Tue 20 Oct 2020 13:47:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-3, Procedures Related to Missing Children, replacing CFOP 175-85
Provides notification and guidance surrounding the issuance of CFOP 170-3, Procedures Related to Missing Children, which replaces CFOP 175-85.
Thu 15 Oct 2020 13:05:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-1, Ch. 2, Core Concepts; and CFOP 170-7, Ch. 5, Safety Plan Involving Release of a Child with Non-Maltreating Parent/Legal Guardian
Provides notification that CFOP 170-1, Ch. 2, Core Concepts; and CFOP 170-7, Ch. 5, Safety Plan Involving Release of a Child with Non-Maltreating Parent/Legal Guardian, have been updated.
Thu 15 Oct 2020 09:12:00 EDT - Memo: FSFN Enhancements will deploy on October 9, 2020
Enhancements that will be deployed within FSFN on October 9, 2020, to support preparing our user community for the changes being introduced to implement the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).
Thu 08 Oct 2020 10:07:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 170-2, Ch. 1, Conducting an Interview; and Ch. 7, Screening Decision and Response Time for Child Intakes
Provides notification that CFOP 170-2, Completing Hotline Intake Assessment, Ch. 1, Conducting an Interview; and Ch. 2, Screening Decision and Response Time for Child Intakes, have been revised.
Tue 29 Sep 2020 11:52:00 EDT - Memo: CFOP 50-1, Ch. 9, Fingerprint Applicant Notification and Acknowledgement; Ch. 10, Caretaker Screening; and Ch. 11, Exemption from Disqualification
Provides notification that CFOP 50-1, CJIS, has a new Ch. 9, Fingerprint Applicant Notification and Acknowledgement; and Ch. 10, Caretaker Screening, and Ch. 11, Exemption from Disqualification, have been updated.
Mon 28 Sep 2020 14:06:00 EDT