About Community Based Care
The CBC philosophy was formed in response to the Florida Legislature’s mandate
that child welfare services be privatized (Section 409.1617, Florida Statutes); it
is currently being instituted through-out the state of Florida, and nationwide.
The CBC initiative is the
collaborative effort of local child welfare agencies and organizations, along
with the community, to voluntarily assume responsibility for the health,
welfare and safety of abused, neglected and abandoned children and families.
These agencies work together to increase prevention and early intervention
services with the purpose of strengthening and preserving the integrity of the
family while protecting the children.
The CBC philosophy empowers
and challenges neighborhoods to take ownership of their community by assisting
those children and families within their community.
General FAQs
What are the
advantages of community-based care (CBC)?
Community-Based
Care is the Florida Department of Children & Families' overarching strategy to
build partnerships in the community; and to significantly impact, in innovative
positive ways, the outcomes, quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of services
in the community. The advantages include greater community involvement, a more responsive system of care, access
to additional funding streams, and the ability to build on local strengths.
Will the CBC
lead agency have more money than DCF?
DCF will transfer over the
Family Safety budget minus protective investigations and Child Welfare Legal
Services (CWLS) to the lead agency. Besides this funding, CFC can access other
funding streams that are not available to DCF, such as Medicaid funding for
Targeted Case Management. CFC can also fundraise, apply for grants, and expand
volunteer services.
How does CFC
communicate with DCF staff?
CFC
and DCF conduct joint meetings with staff to discuss timelines and system
design status, hold job fairs for recruitment, develop newsletters on the latest
developments, and communicate electronically with staff members.
Does CFC
have community representation?
The
CFC Board of Directors includes local residents as well as community
representatives. CFC has a Client Relations Department to assist foster and
adoptive parent concerns.
How do the
PI's refer cases to CFC?
CFC
will utilize a centralized intake and assessment process and contract with a
network of providers for case management and other service needs.
Is CFC
collocated with the PI's in current service centers?
CFC’s
main office is located at
4100 Okeechobee
Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33409. However, CFC
will
honor current DCF building leases at the service centers until they expire. DCF,
CFC, and Case Management agencies will be collocated whenever possible.
What about the
licensing of foster homes?
DCF will retain childcare
licensing. CFC will be responsible for the provision of foster care licensing,
re-licensing and revenue maximization. The approval of all foster home licenses
will continue to be reviewed and approved by DCF.
What about
CWLS?
Child Welfare Legal Services
functions will remain with DCF.
