This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 1337 Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program
SPONSOR(S): Overdorf and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 1190
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 117 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: N/A
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
HB 1337 passed the House on May 3, 2023, as CS/SB 1190.
Young adults who age out of the foster care system can experience challenges achieving self-sufficiency.
The bill creates the “Step Into Success Act” and establishes the three-year Step into Success Workforce
Education and Internship Pilot Program (program) to be implemented by the Department of Children and
Families (DCF). The purpose of the program is to give eligible foster youth and former foster youth an
opportunity to learn and develop essential workforce and professional skills, transition from the custody of DCF
to independent living, and become better prepared for an independent and successful future.
The program includes two components: a workforce education component and an onsite internship
component. The bill specifies how the pilot program will operate and includes reporting requirements. State
government agencies as well as private-sector organizations may be sites for interns, who must be assigned
mentors and, subject to available funding, receive stipends.
The bill has a significant, negative fiscal impact on the DCF and no fiscal impact on local governments.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023.
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF CHANGES:
Background
Florida’s Dependency System
Chapter 39, F.S., governs the dependency system charged with protecting child welfare. Florida’s
dependency system identifies children and families in need of services through reports to the central
abuse hotline and child protective investigations. DCF and the 19 community-based care lead agencies
(CBCs) throughout Florida
1
work with those families to address the problems endangering children, if
possible. If the problems are not addressed, DCF and the CBCs find safe out-of-home placements for
these children.
DCF’s practice model is based on ensuring the safety of the child within the home by using in-home
services, such as parenting coaching and counseling, to maintain and strengthen that child’s natural
supports in his or her environment.
DCF contracts with CBCs for case management, out-of-home services, and related services. The
outsourced provision of child welfare services is intended to increase local community ownership of
service delivery and design. CBCs contract with a number of subcontractors for case management and
direct care services to children and their families.
DCF remains responsible for a number of child welfare functions, including operating the central abuse
hotline, performing child protective investigations, and providing children’s legal services.
2
Ultimately,
DCF is responsible for program oversight and the overall performance of the child welfare system.
3
Permanency
When children are placed in out-of-home care, child welfare agencies must find safe, permanent
homes for them as quickly as possible. In most cases, children are reunified with their families. When
reunification is not possible DCF seeks to place children in permanent homes with relatives or adoptive
families. Florida law requires a permanency hearing no later than 12 months after the child was
removed from the home or within 30 days after a court determines that reasonable efforts to return the
child to either parent are not required, whichever occurs first.
4
The purpose of the permanency hearing
is for the court to determine when the child will achieve permanency or whether modifying the
permanency goal is in the child’s best interest.
5
A permanency hearing must be held at least every 12
months for any child who continues to be supervised by DCF or awaits adoption.
6
The permanency goals under Florida law, listed in order of preference are:
reunification;
adoption, if a petition for termination of parental rights has been or will be filed;
permanent guardianship under s. 39.6221, F.S.;
permanent placement with a fit and willing relative under 39.6231, F.S.; or
placement in another planned permanent living arrangement under s. 39.6241, F.S.
7
Permanency Outcomes by Age of Entry
1
These 19 CBCs together serve the state’s 20 judicial circuits.
2
Ch. 39, F.S.
3
Id.
4
S. 39.621(1), F.S.
5
Id.
6
Id.
7
S. 39.621(3), F.S.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services analyzed national permanency outcomes for
children in the foster care system using state reported data.
8
The following graph describes the
outcomes of children exiting care by age at entry.
Below are some likely outcomes as presented on the graph:
9
Reunification is the most likely outcome for children who enter care between ages 1 and 16.
Children under age 1 who enter care are the only group for whom adoption is the most likely
outcome (the likelihood of adoption decreases the older the child is when entering care).
Guardianship likelihood increases the older the child is when entering care, until age 13.
Most likely to still be in care after four years are those who enter care between ages 9 and 13.
Emancipation likelihood increases the older the age of entry, for entry between ages 13 and 17.
Children who enter foster care between the ages of 9 and 13 who do not reunify within the first two
years may stay in foster care longer, either waiting to be adopted or aging out of care. For youth
entering at age 16 or older, aging out of care is the most likely outcome. Aging out of care generally
means a youth reached the state’s legal age of adulthood without achieving permanency. Additionally,
older children who are not reunified within the first year are much less likely to be reunified in
subsequent years when compared to younger children who enter care and do not reunify in the first
year.
10
Older Foster Youth
8
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, ACYF-CB-IM-21-01,
https:www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/im2101.pdf (last viewed March 13, 2023).
9
Id., at 7.
10
Id., at 8.
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In July 2020, 1,047 17-year-olds were in Florida’s foster care system.
11
Of those, 862 (82%) aged out
of care at the age of 18. Such foster youth can elect to enter Florida’s extended foster care program if
they meet certain requirements. Of these, 477 entered extended foster care and were eligible to
receive foster care services until age 21 (or 22 if disabled).
12
Young adults who age out of the foster care system have challenges achieving self-sufficiency.
Compared to young adults without foster care involvement, these young adults are less likely to earn a
high school diploma or GED, or attend college. They are more likely to have mental health problems,
have a higher rate of criminal justice system involvement, have difficulty achieving financial
independence, need public assistance, and experience housing instability and homelessness.
The Children’s Bureau within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services collects information
about the characteristics and experiences of current and former foster youth across the country. The
National Youth in Transition Database tracks the independent living services each state provides to
foster youth in care and assesses each state’s performance in providing independent living and
transition services.
13
The 2018 Florida survey
14
documented outcomes related to education,
employment, housing, finances and transportation, health and well-being, and connections, indicated in
the chart below.
15
Outcomes of Young Adults who Aged Out of Care
Area Outcome
Education
74% were enrolled in/attending high school, GED prep, vocational training, or college.
12% experienced barriers that prevented them from continuing education, like needing to work full-
time, not having transportation, and having academic difficulties.
Employment
15% were employed full-time (35 hours per week or more).
26% were employed part-time.
78% had a paid job over the last year.
22% completed an apprenticeship, internship, or other on-the-job training, either paid or unpaid.
Housing
41% had to move from house to house because they did not have a permanent place to stay.
27% experienced some type of homelessness in the past year.
16
Financial &
Trans-
portation
46% received public food assistance.
10% received social security payments
83% had a reliable means of transportation to school/work.
76% had an open bank account.
Health &
Well-Being
85% were on Medicaid.
18% had children.
34% had not received medical care for a physical health problem, treatment for a mental health
problem, or dental care in the past two years for some health problem needing to be addressed.
24% were in a jail, prison, correctional facility, or juvenile detention facility within the past two years.
Connections
85% had at least one adult in their life, other than their case manager, to go to for advice or
emotional support.
67% had a close relationship with biological family members.
Independent Living Services
Under s. 39.6035, F.S., DCF and CBCs, in collaboration with the caregiver and any other individual
whom the child would like to include, must assist the child in developing a transition plan out of foster
care during the year after a child turns 16. The transition plan must address specific options for the
11
Email from John Paul Fiore, Legislative Affairs Director, Florida Department of Children and Families, Updated Info, Jan. 20, 2022
(on file with the House Children, Families, and Seniors Subcommittee).
12
Id.
13
DCF periodically surveys current and former foster youth ages 18-22 who turned 18 in licensed care. Many of the young adults
completing the survey receive services through EFC, PESS, and Aftercare.
14
The survey reflects the responses of 933 young adults.
15
Florida National Youth in Transition Database, 2018 Survey Data Report, https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-
programs/independent-living/docs/2018%20Florida%20NYTD%20Statewide%20Report%20Final.pdf (last viewed March 11, 2023).
16
Id.
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child to use in obtaining services, including housing, health insurance, education, financial literacy, a
driver license, and workforce support and employment services. The transition plan must be updated as
needed before the child turns 18. During the transition plan process, children should be informed of all
the independent living services Florida provides to allow the child to decide what independent living
program would best fit his or her needs.
Florida provides independent living services to older youth to help them transition out of foster care and
to prepare them to become self-sufficient adults. Florida’s independent living services include extended
foster care, which applies to young adults who were in licensed foster care upon turning 18. Florida
also offers two other independent living programs: Postsecondary Education Services and Supports
(PESS) and Aftercare Services.
Office of Continuing Care
In 2021, the Legislature created the Office of Continuing Care (OCC) within DCF. This program
operates as a point of contact for young adults who age out of the foster care system until they reach
the age of 26. The purpose of the OCC is to ensure this population receives ongoing support and care
coordination needed to achieve self-sufficiency. The duties of the OCC include:
informing eligible young adults about the OCC and the types of supports it offers,
providing information on how to access services to support the young adult’s self-sufficiency,
assisting eligible young adults in accessing services and supports, and
collaborating with CBCs to identify local resources.
DCF staffs the OCC primarily with individuals with lived experience in the foster care system. These
employees use their unique viewpoint and focus to provide information, access to ongoing supports,
and care navigation for the specific population they serve.
The Office of Continuing Care has served nearly 500 clients since it launched in October 2021. The top
requested services or referrals requested by OCC clients include:
information to understand available services as a youth who has aged out of care,
connection to an Independent Living Specialist, and
housing.
17
Effect of Proposed Changes
Step Into Success Act Pilot Program
Section 409.1455, F.S., is created and titled the “Step Into Success Act,” and establishes the three-
year Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Pilot Program (program) for foster youth
and former foster youth. The program is available for foster youth who are age 17, and former foster
youth ages 18-25 who were in foster care for at least 60 days. The program is not available for youth
who are or were in a child-specific foster home.
18
The purpose of the program is to give eligible foster youth and former foster youth an opportunity to:
learn and develop essential workforce and professional skills,
transition from the custody of DCF to independent living, and
become better prepared for an independent and successful future.
17
Florida Department of Children and Families, Agency Analysis of 2023 House Bill 1337 (n.d.).
18
A child-specific foster home is a foster home that is licensed to care for a specific child known to the foster parent,
rather than licensed to care for any child placed by DCF or a CBC. It is designed for relatives and non-relatives who have
an existing relationship with the child from whom they are seeking licensure. DCF, Foster Care Licensing,
https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/licensing/foster-care-licensing (last viewed May 17, 2023).
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The bill authorizes DCF to contract with entities that have demonstrable subject-matter expertise in the
necessary areas to collaborate with the OCC in the development and administration of the pilot
program.
The bill tasks the Office of Continuing Care, in consultation with subject-matter experts and the CBCs,
to develop and administer the program. It includes two specific components:
a professionalism and workforce education component, to begin on or before January 1, 2024,
and
onsite workforce training internships, to begin on or before July 1, 2024.
Independent Living Professionalism and Workforce Education Component
The independent living professionalism and workforce education component of the program must
culminate in a certificate that allows a former foster youth to participate in the onsite workforce training
internship. The internship program must be administered as part of an eligible foster youth’s regular
transition planning under s. 39.6035, F.S., or as a post-transition service for eligible former foster youth.
The bill establishes the requirements for the independent living professionalism and workforce
education component to include:
designating and ensuring that the number of qualified staff is sufficient to implement and
administer the component, which may be part of a larger independent living or life skills training
program if the larger program meets certain requirements.
developing all workshops, presentations, and curricula for the component, including, but not
limited to, all written educational and training materials for foster youth and former foster youth.
The office must review and update these materials as necessary. The training materials must
address, but are not limited to, the following:
o Interview skills;
o Professionalism;
o Teamwork;
o Leadership;
o Problem solving; and
o Conflict resolution in the workplace.
requiring that the training provided be in addition to any other life skills or employment training
required by law.
providing relevant written materials from the component and any relevant tools developed to
ensure participants’ successful transition to internships to all participating organizations that
offer workforce training internship opportunities.
providing materials to inform eligible foster youth and former foster youth of the program, the
requirements for participation, and contact information for enrollment. The CBCs shall ensure
that any subcontracted providers that directly serve youth receive this information.
advertising and promote the availability of the education and internship program.
assessing the career interests of each eligible foster youth and former foster youth who
expresses interest in participating in the program and determining the most appropriate
internship and post-internship opportunities.
Onsite Workforce Training Internships
The onsite workforce training internship component allows eligible former foster youth to obtain paid
work experience through a limited-duration position in a structured program involving guidance from a
mentor trained in working with youth who have experienced trauma.
Eligibility
The bill establishes conditions of participation:
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The applicant must meet the definition of a foster youth or a former foster at the time they apply
for an internship position with a participating organization. A foster youth or former foster youth
who has completed the training component with the department may apply for a position with a
participating organization but may not begin an internship until they are 18 years old.
If offered an internship, a former foster youth must be classified as an intern and must work 80
hours per month to be eligible for the stipend payment.
A former foster youth must spend any stipend funds specified for clothing on attire that is in
compliance with the dress code requirements of the participating and comply with any dress
code requirements of the participating organization.
Requirements
Requirements for DCF for the onsite workforce internship component include:
developing processes and procedures to implement a trauma informed onsite workforce
internship component. The processes and procedures of the internship component must be
designed so that they can be replicated and scaled to meet various organizational structures
and sizes. The component must include:
o Recruitment of agencies, corporations, and other entities to host interns as participating
organizations. A “participating organization” is a state agency, a corporation under chapter
607 or chapter 617, or another relevant entity that has agreed to collaborate with the Office
in the development and implementation of a trauma-informed onsite workforce training
internship program;
o Assisting participating organizations with mentor recruitment, training, and matching;
o Mentor-led performance reviews, including a review of the intern’s work product,
professionalism, time management, communication style, and stress-management
strategies;
o Development of opportunities for interns to become employees of the participating
organization;
o Reporting requirements; and
o Daily mentorship and coaching on topics such as:
Professionalism;
Teamwork;
Leadership;
Problem solving; and
Conflict resolution in the workplace
developing a minimum of one hour of required trauma-informed training for mentors to teach
the skills necessary to engage with participating eligible former foster youth.
providing assistance to eligible foster youth and former foster youth interested in participating in
the internship component, including, but not limited to, identifying and monitoring internship
opportunities, being knowledgeable of the training and skills needed to match eligible foster
youth and former foster youth with appropriate internships, and assisting eligible foster youth
and former foster youth with applying for post-internship employment opportunities.
publicizing specific internship positions in an easily accessible manner and inform eligible
foster youth and former foster youth of where to locate such information.
developing a process and schedule for the distribution of stipends to former foster youth
participating in the component, subject to the availability of funds.
distributing funds appropriated for the compensation of mentors who are participating in the
component.
developing and conduct follow-up surveys with:
o former foster youth within three months after their internship start date to ensure successful
transition into the work environment and to gather feedback on how to improve the
experience for future participants.
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o mentors assigned to participating former foster youth. Such data must be collected by
October 1, 2024, and by October 1 annually thereafter, for inclusion in the independent
living services annual report.
o any other persons the office deems relevant for purposes of continued improvement of the
internship component.
by May 1, 2024, providing to the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education all
relevant internship information necessary to support the award of postsecondary credit or
career education clock hours for internship positions held by former foster youth participating in
the onsite workforce training internship component.
Requirements for the participating organizations include:
collaborating with the OCC to implement a trauma informed approach to mentoring and training
former foster youth.
providing relevant feedback to the office at least annually for the office to comply with
paragraph.
collaborating with DCF to provide any requested information necessary to prepare the annual
report.
Mentors
Additionally, participating organizations must recruit employees to serve as mentors for former foster
youth interning with those organizations. Subject to available funding, an employee who serves as a
mentor and receives the required trauma-informed training is eligible for a maximum payment of $1,200
per intern per fiscal year, to be issued as a $100 monthly payment for every month of service as a
mentor. An employee may serve as a mentor for a maximum of three interns at one time and may not
receive more than $3,600 in compensation per fiscal year for serving as a mentor. To serve as a
mentor, an employee of a participating organization must:
have worked for the participating organization for at least one year;
have experience relevant to the job and task responsibilities of the intern;
sign a monthly hour statement for the intern;
allocate at least one hour per month to conduct mentor-led performance reviews, to include a
review of the intern’s work product, professionalism, time management, communication style,
and stress-management strategies; and
complete a minimum of one hour of trauma-informed training to gain skills critical for
successfully engaging former foster youth.
Performance Management
The bill requires that, when necessary, the intern shall have a discussion with an intern’s assigned
mentor, the participating organization’s internship program liaison, and the office about the creation of a
corrective action plan to address issues related to the intern’s professionalism, work product, or
performance and, if applicable, after giving the intern a reasonable opportunity to comply with the
corrective action plan, document the intern’s failure to do so before discharging him or her.
A former foster youth who accepts an internship with a participating organization may only be
discharged from the internship component after the participating organization engages the intern’s
assigned mentor and the participating organization’s internship program staff to assist the intern in
performing the duties of the internship. Before discharging the former foster youth, the participating
organization must also document the intern’s failure to comply with a corrective action plan after being
given a reasonable opportunity to do so.
Stipends
The stipend is calculated based on the 80 hours listed in the bill and a pay rate of $20 an hour.
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Stipend money earned pursuant to the internship component may not be considered earned income for
purposes of computing eligibility for federal or state benefits, including, but not limited to, the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a housing choice assistance voucher program, the
Temporary Cash Assistance Program, the Medicaid program, or the school readiness program.
Notwithstanding this paragraph, any reduction in the amount of benefits or loss of benefits due to
receipt of the Step into Success stipend may be offset by an additional stipend payment equal to the
value of the maximum benefit amount for a single person allowed under the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program.
Time Limits on Participation
The bill establishes time limits for participation in the internship program to be no more than one year,
calculated as 12 monthly stipend periods. The former foster youth may intern with more than one
participating organization within the 12 months but may only intern with a single participating
organization at a time.
Award of Credit Hours
A former foster youth may, at the discretion of a postsecondary educational institution within this state
in which such youth is enrolled, earn postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for work
performed as an intern under the internship component. Postsecondary credit and career education
clock hours earned for work performed under the internship component may be in addition to any
compensation earned for the same work performed under the internship component and may be
awarded for completion of all or any part of the internship component. Participating organizations shall
cooperate with postsecondary educational institutions to provide any information about internship
positions which is necessary to enable the institutions to determine whether to grant the participating
former foster youth postsecondary credit or career education clock hours toward his or her degree.
The bill directs the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education to adopt a process for
awarding postsecondary credit or career education credit hours for participants on the internship
program.
Pilot Program Reporting by DCF
The bill requires DCF to include a section on the Step into Success Workforce Education and
Internship Program in the independent living annual report prepared pursuant to s. 409.1451(6), F.S.
The content must include:
whether the program is in compliance with program requirements, and if not, barriers to
compliance,
lists of participating organizations and number of interns,
a summary of recruitment efforts to increase the number of participating organizations,
a summary of the feedback and surveys received pursuant to paragraph (6)(h) from
participating former foster youth, mentors, and others who have participated in the program.
recommendations, if any, for actions necessary to improve the quality, effectiveness, and
outcomes of the pilot program, and
employment outcomes of former foster youth who participated in the pilot program, including
employment status after completion of the program, whether he or she is employed by the
participating organization in which he or she interned or by another entity, and job description
and salary information, if available.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
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1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
The bill appropriates $500,000 in recurring General Revenue funds to DCF to implement the bill.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
To the extent that non-governmental entities host interns through the program, they will benefit from the
additional help provided by the interns they host.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.