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The Institute’s Environment
In 2014, the Florida Legislature passed comprehensive child welfare legislation (s. 1004.615, Florida Statutes) and established the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (Institute) at the Florida State University College of Social Work. Being a part of the College affords many advantages related to connecting with scientists across disciplines, as the Dean and faculty are committed to establishing an environment that encourages team science and facilitates productivity.
The purpose of the Institute is to prioritize research, evaluation, and policy analysis . In addition, the Institute renders technical assistance and training with the goal of improving child welfare services and enhancing the professional workforce. The Institute is required to cultivate and sustain a consortium of public and private universities throughout Florida that offer accredited degree programs in social work. The statute also requires the Institute to work with the Department of Children and Families, sheriffs’ offices, community-based care lead agencies, and community provider organizations. The Institute continues to cultivate an environment of collaboration and partnership across the state.
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Through statute, the Institute is required to:
Maintain a program of research that contributes to the scientific knowledge related to child safety, permanency, and child and family well-being.
Advise the Department of Children and Families and other organizations about the scientific evidence regarding child welfare practice.
Provide advice regarding management practices and administrative processes.
Assess the performance of child welfare services based on specified outcome measures.
Evaluate the educational/training requirements for the child welfare workforce and the effectiveness of training.
Develop a program of training/consulting to assist organizations with employee retention and career development.
Provide research informed recommendations for improvements to Florida’s child welfare system.
Submit quarterly updates and an annual report to the Governor and Legislature outlining activities, significant research findings, and recommendations for improving the child welfare workforce.
