This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to improve support for individuals with developmental disabilities, children and youth in foster care, and former 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 for children and youth who have lost a parent or sibling. Additionally, the bill revises monthly room and board rates for foster parents and caregivers, ensuring increases for different age groups and annual cost-of-living adjustments.

Moreover, the bill renames the Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program, removing previous duration limitations, and establishes cohorts for eligible foster youth, promoting mentorship and internship opportunities. It introduces the Foster and Family Support Grant Program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for support services, and emphasizes trauma-informed training for mentors. Financial assistance for former foster youth is increased from $1,517 to $1,717, with structured payment distribution and follow-up surveys to enhance the internship experience. The legislation also includes provisions for nursing home care funding and quality assessment, adjusting the Quality Incentive Program payment pool and establishing new scoring thresholds, while ensuring comprehensive data collection and analysis related to program costs and enrollment for individuals with developmental disabilities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 2518E Filed: 409.145, 409.1455, 409.908, 409.990, 414.56