Normalcy
The law recognizes the importance of allowing children in foster care the ability to take part in everyday activities, without the unnecessary involvement of case managers, provider agencies or the court system. The “Reasonable and Prudent Parent” standard incorporated in the law allows foster parents to give foster children permission to do daily, age appropriate, activities such as joining a school athletic team, getting a driver’s license or going to the beach with friends. Participation in these types of activities is important to the child's well-being, not only emotionally, but in developing valuable life-coping skills.
DCF MEMOS/CFOPs
- DCF Memo: CFOP 170-11, Chapter 6: Normalcy; Chapter 7: Babysitting; Chapter 8: Vacation and Out of Town Travel (7/18/2016)
- DCF Memo: Normalcy, Babysitting, Vacation, and Emergency Care for Children in Out-of-Home Care (3/5/2013)
- Letter (5/24/2013)
- DCF Letter (2/29/2012)
- DCF Memo: Normalcy (1/20/2012)
- DCF Memo: Online Social Networking Policy (2/22/2012)
- DCF Memo: Normalcy (9/3/2010)
- DCF Memo: Normalcy for Children in the Custody of the Department (8/31/2005)
AGENCY NORMALCY RESOURCES
- Eckerd Letter
- C.R.E.S.T. Statement (11/14/2008)
- Memo to Seminole County Foster Parents/Group Home Providers Re: Normalcy for Children in Foster Care (3/23/2009)
- C.R.E.S.T. Statement: Teen Normalcy (3/31/2009)
- C.R.E.S.T. Statement: Normalcy (1/25/2012)
- C.R.E.S.T. Statement: Child Luggage -No More Trash Bags! (10/20/2014)
- C.R.E.S.T. Normalcy and Prudent Parenting (1/20/2016)
NORMALCY TRAINING
- DCF Child Welfare Leadership Program Class Normalcy Training Packet (2008)
- Normalcy Training - Trainer Guide (2008)
- Normalcy Training - Presentation Slides (2008)
- Normalcy Training - Florida Guardian ad Litem (2014)
- Normalcy Training - Presentation Slides (2008)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
- DCF PowerPoint from the QPI 2016 Florida Conference
- Information Sharing & Normalcy
- Let Kids be Kids Law (Begins July 1, 2013)
- Sample Normalcy Plan Worksheet
- Normalcy FAQs (Center for Child Welfare)
- Additional Normalcy Question and Answers (PDF)
- Common Myths and Facts about Normalcy: Don't Say "No" Before You KNOW (Feb'12)
- Age Appropriate Activities and Responsibilities
- Normalcy Checklist (FL GAL Program, 2014)
- Promoting Normalcy for Children and Youth in Foster Care (JLC, 2015)
VIDEOS
- Normalcy
- Just in Time Webshow Season 1 Episode 1: The One About Normalcy
- Just in Time Webshow Season 2 Episode 1: The One About the Normalcy Bill
- Babysitting, Screening, and Normalcy Guidelines