Florida Administrative Code › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › 65C - Family Safety and Preservation Program › Chapter 65C-17 - MASTER TRUST › Section 65C-17.003 - Planning and Budgeting Functions

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
Balancing the current and long-term needs of a Family Safety
				  and Preservation program Master Trust client beneficiary shall involve the
				  following planning and budgeting functions which must be cooperatively
				  performed by district caseworkers and fiscal office personnel.
(1) The caseworker shall keep track of the
				client's current needs subaccount balance (available from the district fiscal
				office), monitor the client's current and anticipated needs in relation to such
				balance and the best interests of the client, and communicate such needs to the
				district fiscal office in charge of the client's trust accounts within the
				Master Trust so that the district fiscal office can retain sufficient funds for
				these expenses. The caseworker shall keep the child informed of all purchases.
				Also, if the expenditure equals $500 or more, the caseworker shall notify the
				child's parent(s) (unless termination of parental rights has occurred), the
				guardian ad litem, and the child's attorney (if one is appointed) of the
				purchase.
(2) Family Safety program
				Master Trust client beneficiaries who are in substitute care, and who receive
				Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, are eligible to submit a Plan for
				Achieving Self-Support (PASS) to the Social Security Administration for
				approval. The approved Plan enables the department to set aside funds for
				long-term educational or vocational needs of the client as enumerated in the
				Plan, without affecting SSI eligibility. A PASS, Independent Living, or other
				case plan shall be developed for each member of this Master Trust client
				beneficiary group. A copy of the plan shall be kept in the client's case file
				and a copy shall also be filed with the court exercising jurisdiction over the
				client. As part of the PASS or Independent Living plan, the caseworker is
				responsible for ensuring that a vocational aptitude assessment and report is
				done on each client who is able to participate. Unless waived or performed
				in-house, costs of such assessment shall be charged against the client's
				applicable trust subaccount.
(3)
				Master Trust client beneficiaries who receive Social Security Act Title II
				benefits (SSA), Veterans' (VA) benefits, Railroad Retirement or other benefits
				are eligible to complete a Non-Disabled Plan for Achieving Self-Support
				(PASS-ND). This plan shall serve as all or part of the required case plan
				preparatory to independent living pursuant to Section 409.165(4)(b)1., F.S. As
				part of the plan, the caseworker is responsible for ensuring that a vocational
				aptitude assessment and report is done on each client who is able to
				participate and placed in the case file. A copy of the plan shall be filed with
				the court exercising jurisdiction over the client. The PASS-ND is not submitted
				to or approved by the Social Security Administration.
Rulemaking Authority 402.17(1)(a)9. (1996 Supp.),
					 402.33(2),
					 (7)(a) FS. Law Implemented 402.17,
					 402.17(2)(c) (1996 Supp.) FS.
New 4-6-99, Amended
					 5-18-03.