Child-Placing Agency Licensing
The Office of Licensing is responsible for the licensure of Florida’s child-placing agencies. The purpose of a license is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all children in the state who are cared for by child-placing agencies by providing for the establishment of licensing requirements for such agencies and providing procedures to determine adherence to these requirements.
What is a Child-Placing Agency
A child-placing agency is any person, corporation, or agency, public or private, other than the parent or legal guardian of the child or an intermediary acting pursuant to Chapter 63, that receives a child for placement and places or arranges for the placement of a child in a family foster home, residential child-caring agency, or adoptive home. Child-placing agencies are governed under Florida Statutes Sections 409.175 and Florida Administrative Code 65C-15, Child-Placing Agencies.
Agencies seeking to become licensed as a child-placing agency may select to be one or more subtypes offered by the Department.
- Community Based Care Lead Agency: Contracted by the Department for the provision of care for children in the child protection and child welfare system outlined in s. 409.988, F.S.
- Case Management Organization: Responsible for ongoing safety management and service provision of children.
- Foster Home Maintenance: Completes home study inspections and provides support to individuals seeking to become a licensed foster parent.
- Private Adoption Agency: Authorized to recruit families, place minors for adoption, and provide post adoption services.
- Other: Social Investigations pursuant to Chapter 61.20, F.S.
Report Licensing Violations and Abuse
To report licensing violations or suspected abuse or neglect, please contact 1-800-962-2873. Web reporting may be used for situations that do not require immediate attention. Gather all of your information in advance and select the web reporting option. Report Violations/Abuse Online
Contacts
If you are interested in learning more about child-placing agencies, please contact a licensing staff member in your area.