This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes related to child welfare, specifically focusing on the definition of "visitor" and the Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Program for foster youth. The definition of "visitor" is revised to clarify that it includes individuals providing care or supervision to a child in the home, excluding contracted service providers, and specifies the duration of their stay. The Step into Success program is renamed and expanded, removing the previous limitation on its duration and requiring the Office of Continuing Care to develop cohorts, collaborate with local organizations, and provide internship opportunities for eligible former foster youth.

Additionally, the bill mandates the development of trauma-informed training for mentors and revises the financial assistance provided to participating youth, increasing the monthly amount from $1,517 to $1,717. It also establishes new requirements for mentors, including additional training opportunities and compensation structures. The bill aims to enhance the support and resources available to foster youth transitioning to independent living, while also ensuring that stipend earnings do not affect eligibility for federal or state benefits. Furthermore, it requires the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to collaborate with relevant departments to identify and catalog best practices within the community-based care model. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 7018 Filed: 39.01