Dependency Law Finder

Florida's dependency statutes, court rules and DCF operating procedures, with the appellate opinions that apply them

data.robertlathamesq.org · All tools

Before you use this site

This site aggregates legal authorities from a variety of public sources. It is AI and human reviewed. Text processing errors can occur. Always check the information here against the official linked source.

This site is publicly available. Use for general research only. Do not submit confidential or identifiable case information.

I don't agree: show the official sources

Case plan development for young adultsRule 8.401

Part III · Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings — D. Case Plans · Rules of Juvenile Procedure (October 1, 2026 ed.)

Related statutes: § 39.6251 Continuing care for young adults. · § 39.6011 · § 39.6035 · § 39.701

4 opinions cite Rule 8.401

  1. S.M. v. Department of Children & Families 202 So. 3d 769 · SC15-2127 · Florida Supreme Court 2016

    Affirmed This opinion cites Rule 8.401 1 time, the section generally

    · cited by 37 in all courts

    Supreme Court approved termination: least restrictive means does not require considering permanent guardianship instead of adoption once grounds and best interests shown.

    …effectuating the legislative scheme beginning with the Shelter Petition (Rule 8.305), the Dependency Petition (Rule 8.310), the Case Plan (Rules 8.400, 8.401 and 8.410), and finally the Termination of Parental Rights Petition (Rule 8.500). Judicial reviews are provided for by statute, section 39.701, and…

  2. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure - 2017 Fast-Track Report 235 So. 3d 322 · SC17-2040 · Florida Supreme Court 2018

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.401 2 times, the section generally

    …to the case plan. See ch. 2017-151, § 17, Laws of Fla. (amending § 39.6035(4), Fla. Stat. (2016)). New (c)(5) (Department Responsibility) is added to rule 8.401 (Case Plan Development for Young Adults) to require the Department to attach the young adult’s transition plan to the case …

  3. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure-2017 Fast-Track Report 235 So. 3d 322 · SC17-2040-2 · Florida Supreme Court 2018

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.401 2 times, the section generally

    …to the case plan. See ch. 2017-151, § 17, Laws.of Fla. (amending § 39.6035(4), Fla. Stat. (2016)). New. (c)(5) (Department Responsibility).is added to rule 8.401 (Case Plan Development for Young Adults) to require the Department to attach the young adult’s transition plan to the case plan. The amendment to subdivision…

  4. In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 136 So. 3d 508 · SC13-2385 · Florida Supreme Court 2014

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.401 2 times, the section generally

    …amendments to current Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.415 and form 8.973, and the deletion of forms 8.971 and 8.972. The Committee also proposes new rules 8.401 and 8.435, and several new forms. The amended and new rules and forms are in response to the passage of the Nancy C. 1. Art. V, § 2(a), Fla.…

0 admin code rules cite Rule 8.401

DCF's rules in Chapter 65C, Florida Administrative Code, that cite it.

No admin code rule cites Rule 8.401.

0 CFOPs cite Rule 8.401

How DCF carries it out. A page opens in the CFOP reader with the citation highlighted.

No CFOP cites Rule 8.401.

Shading shows how often opinions cite each provision: rarely sometimes often most. Click a provision to list the opinions citing it.

(a) Case Planning Conference. The case plan must be developed in a face-to-face conference with the young adult, the guardian ad litem, attorney ad litem and, when appropriate, the legal guardian of the young adult, if the young adult is not of the capacity to participate in the case planning process.

(b) Contents. The case plan must be written simply and clearly in English and the principal language of the young adult. Each case plan must contain:

(1) a description of the services, including independent living services, to be provided to the young adult;

(2) a copy of the young adult’s transition plan;

(3) the permanency goal of transition from licensed care to independent living; and

(4) the date the compliance period expires.

(c) Department Responsibility.

(1) After the case plan has been developed, the department must prepare the written case plan for each young adult receiving services under Chapter 39, Florida Statutes.

(2) After the case plan has been developed, and before acceptance by the court, the department must make the appropriate referrals for services that will allow the young adult to begin receiving the agreed-upon services immediately.

(3) The department must immediately provide the young adult a signed copy of the agreed-upon case plan.

(4) Not less than 3 business days before a judicial review or permanency hearing, the department must file the case plan with the court.

(5) The department must attach a copy of the young adult’s transition plan to the case plan.

(d) Signature. The case plan must be signed by the young adult, all parties and, when appropriate, the legal guardian if the young adult is not of the capacity to participate in the case planning process.

(e) Service. Each party must be served with a copy of the case plan not less than 3 business days before the judicial review hearing. If the location of the young adult is unknown, this fact must be documented in writing and filed with the court.

(f) Re-admitted to Care. If the department petitions the court for reinstatement of jurisdiction after a young adult has been re-admitted to care under Chapter 39, Florida Statutes, the department must file an updated case plan.

Amendments since the 1991 renumbering

From the Florida Bar edition's table of amending opinions. Where it lists a range of rules ("8.400–8.410"), each rule in the range today is listed.