Florida Administrative Code › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › 65C - Family Safety and Preservation Program › Chapter 65C-32 - PARENT EDUCATION AND FAMILY STABILIZATION COURSE › Section 65C-32.003 - Required Components of the Parenting Course

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) All parenting courses developed pursuant
				to the requirements of Section
				 61.21, F.S., and Rule Chapter
				65C-32, F.A.C., shall be named the "Parent Education and Family Stabilization
				Course." Course providers are permitted to assign a unique name to their
				curriculum.
(2) The provider of a
				parenting course shall provide to each participant a printed disclaimer in
				written form which states the following: "The components of the parenting
				course are intended for educational purposes only. The presentation of this
				material is not intended to constitute mental health therapy, give information
				on specific mental health disorders nor medications to treat mental health
				disorders. Participants are encouraged to discuss specific mental health
				questions with a licensed mental health therapist of their choice."
(3) The legal component of the parenting
				course shall provide general Florida family law principles. The presentation of
				this material is not intended to constitute legal advice and the course
				material must direct the participant to consult with a licensed attorney for
				answers to specific legal questions.
(4) The components required for the Parent
				Education and Family Stabilization Course in the state of Florida shall include
				the following:
(a) Divorce as Loss. This
				component shall include recognition of divorce as the loss of the current
				family structure and processes experienced by adults and children in working
				through loss. In addition, a distinction shall be made between loss of the
				current family structure and the continuing parental role;
(b) Permanency of Parental Role/Shared
				Parenting. This component shall include information about how children are
				positively impacted by a continuing relationship with both parents and the
				types of support children need from both parents;
(c) Developmental Stages of Childhood. This
				component shall include information on the developmental stages of childhood,
				as well as how a divorce may impact development, what parents can do to
				minimize the impact of the divorce, and when to seek additional help for a
				child experiencing problems;
(d)
				Communicating with Children in a Divorce Situation. This component shall
				include information about discussing divorce-related issues with children in
				reference to the developmental stage of the child;
(e) Communicating with the Other Parent. This
				component shall include the negative impact of a parent expressing anger toward
				the other parent in front of the children, the benefits to children of keeping
				them out of the middle of parental conflict, and how to establish a
				relationship with the other parent which shall minimize the children's exposure
				to parental conflict;
(f) Abuse.
				This component shall include information on the power and control dynamics of
				domestic violence and the statewide toll-free domestic violence hotline
				telephone number where services may be accessed. An explanation of child abuse
				and neglect and the statutory mandate to report such incidences to the Florida
				Abuse Hotline must also be included, in addition to the penalties for false
				reporting;
(g) Legal Concepts. This
				component shall include general information about Florida family law, including
				references to statutory definitions as they relate to court issues involving
				divorcing parents with minor children and financial responsibilities to the
				child(ren); and,
(h) Parenting
				Time. This component shall include information about the benefits to children
				of maintaining a stable and consistent relationship with both parents,
				suggestions about how to develop a parenting plan, and effective communication
				between the parents about parenting time.