Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Consumer Protection Division
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Amendment No. 0003 to Agreement No. JC206 between the State of Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Broward County, relating to child care licensing and enforcement; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same, and authorize County Administrator to sign any additional amendments or related documents necessary under the agreement that do not impose additional costs to the County and subject to review and approval as to legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney.
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Why Action is Necessary
Necessary to approve the referenced amendment and authorize the referenced actions.
What Action Accomplishes
Approval enables Child Care Licensing and Enforcement to continue to receive partial funding from the State for child care provider and School Readiness Program licensing and inspections.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
Section 402.306, Florida Statutes, provides that counties may either designate a local licensing agency or contract with DCF to provide that service. In Broward, the Board of County Commissioners has designated the Consumer Protection Division’s Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section (CCLE) as local licensing agency. DCF provides partial funding for CCLE through this contract to provide licensure and administrative oversight, monitoring, and enforcement for child care facilities and family child care homes for compliance with the standards for education, training, health, safety, sanitation, and nutrition requirements set forth in Chapter 7, Broward County Code of Ordinances, the “Broward County Child Care Ordinance.”
In light of changes to state and federal laws, DCF has requested an amendment to the Standard Contract terms and conditions to ensure alignment with current mandates at both levels of government. There are no changes to the funding level or the agreement end date of June 30, 2025. If approved, this item would enable CCLE to conduct, and receive state funding for, child care provider and School Readiness Program inspections and authorize the County Administrator to sign any further amendments or other related documents necessary for approval of State funding that do not impose additional financial obligations on the County, subject to review and approval as to legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney.
The amendment is on a form provided by DCF and includes provisions that differ from County standards, such as obligations that the County indemnify DCF for the negligence of County employees or the misuse of intellectual property by County employees. In addition, the County must follow a variety of State procedures and complete State-mandated forms, and the venue for any dispute would lie in Leon County.
The amendment to the Agreement (Exhibit 1) has been approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
Philip McChesney, Director, Consumer Protection Division, 954-519-1223.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact.