This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to improve support for individuals with developmental disabilities, children and youth experiencing grief, and foster youth transitioning to independent living. It mandates the Social Services Estimating Conference to develop official data on a pilot program for individuals with developmental disabilities, while also authorizing the Department of Children and Families to contract with Valeries House, Inc. for grief support services at no cost to affected children and youth. Additionally, the bill revises monthly room and board rates for foster parents and caregivers, increasing these rates for different age groups and requiring annual cost-of-living adjustments.

The legislation also renames the Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program, removing previous duration limitations, and requires the Office of Continuing Care to create cohorts for eligible foster youth, facilitating mentorship and internship opportunities. It establishes the Foster and Family Support Grant Program to provide grants to not-for-profit organizations for community support initiatives. Key changes include increasing monthly financial assistance for former foster youth and implementing structured processes for payment distribution and feedback collection. The bill emphasizes trauma-informed training for mentors and outlines specific training requirements, aiming to enhance resources and support for vulnerable populations in Florida, with an effective date set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 2518 pb: 409.145, 409.1455, 409.908, 409.990, 414.56