New Florida Law To Launch DCF Overhaul Of Child Welfare System To Prevent Child Deaths

On June 23, 2014, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed legislation, Senate Bill 1666, directing the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to overhaul its child protective services investigations and case management processes to improve DCF’s response to child deaths and maltreatment of children known to the child welfare system. The provisions of Senate Bill 1666 call for DCF to conduct immediate investigations of deaths and other significant incidents involving children who have been known to the child protection and child welfare system, requires the use of safety plans in child protection investigations in cases of present or impending danger . . .