Florida Bill Requires A New Grading System For Child Welfare Contractors

On March 11, 2020, the Florida legislature passed a bill, Senate Bill 1326, dubbed the “State of Hope Act” to require the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to develop a new grading system for its child welfare community-based care (CBC) lead agency contractors. The goal is to improve accountability and improve program performance of child welfare programs administered by DCF. Under the new grading system, DCF would terminate contracts with low-performing contractors that fail to improve. DCF would not be permitted to contract with child welfare or mental health provider organizations that persistently fail to meet performance . . .