June26,2015

JodiAbramowitz
DepartmentofChildrenandFamilies
1317WinewoodBlvd.
Tallahassee,FL32399

Subject:CommentstoamendmentstoFloridaAdministrativeCode65C14onGroupCare

Ms.Abramowitz:

PleaseacceptourcommentsontheproposedamendmentstoFloridaAdministrativeCode
65C14onGroupCare.TheLGBTQChildWelfareWorkgroupfundedinlargepartbythe
FloridaBarFoundationsChildrensLegalServicesGrantsisacollectiveofindividualsand
organizationsseekingtoimproveoutcomesforlesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender,and
questioning(LGBTQ)childreninFloridasoutofhomecaresystems.Thesecommentsarethe
productofinformationgatheredintrainingsandmeetingswithover300childwelfare
professionals,LGBTQadvocacyorganizations,andyouthacrossthestate.Since2014,the
WorkgrouphasorganizedandsupportedlocaltaskforcesinSt.Petersburg,Tampa,Pensacola,
Miami,Ft.Lauderdale(preexisting),PalmBeach,Orlando,Ocala,Gainesville(preexisting),
andPanamaCity.Throughthelocaltaskforcesandstatewidenetwork,theWorkgrouphas
helpedprovideeducation,technicalassistance,legaladvice,andcoordinationofreferralsfor
servicesandplacementsonbehalfofLGBTQyouthandprofessionalsinthechildwelfare
system.
OurcommentsaremotivatedbyourworkwithLGBTQchildrenwhohavetaughtusthatthe
currentgroupcarerules,originallyadoptedin1987andlittlechangedsincethen,haveresulted
inextremelynegativeoutcomesforLGBTQyouthinoutofhomecare.Fortunately,weknow
muchmorenowabouttheuniqueneedsandexperiencesofLGBTQyouththanwedidin1987.
BasedonworksuchastheFamilyAcceptanceProjectatSanFranciscoStateUniversity,we
knowthatrejectionbyacaregiverisaprimarypredictorofadversehealthandwellbeing
outcomesforLGBTQchildren.Caregiveracceptanceandrespect,conversely,aresignificant
predictorsofachildssuccess.
Thiscommentisorganizedtopically.Inthe
Definitions
section,wediscusstheneedforclear
definitionsoftermsrelatedtogenderandsexualorientationsothattherulescantakeinto
accounttheuniqueexperiencesofLGBTQyouth.Wethendiscussin
Bedrooms,Bathrooms,
andPrivacy
howthelackofprivacyandlackofflexibilityinroomassignmentbasedonachilds
genderassignedatbirthcanleadtoextremelyunsafesituationsforLGBTQyouth.The
Harassment,Discrimination,andDifferentialTreatment
sectiondiscussesthefailureof
currentbroadpoliciesagainstteasingandridiculetoprotectLGBTQyouth,andinstead
proposesspecificlanguagebanningeffortstochangeayouthsgenderorsexualorientation.In
Clothing,Grooming,andHygiene
,wediscusshowachildsaccesstoitemsthatare

consistentwiththeirgenderidentityarecrucialforhealthydevelopment.In
Documentationand
Confidentiality
,weprovideaprocedureforappropriatelyrecordingachildssexualorientation
andgenderidentity,providingconfidentialityforthatinformation,anddocumentingplacements
unwillingnesstoworkwithLGBTQyouth.Finally,in
WrittenPolicies,Support,andTraining
wediscusstheneedforcomprehensivequalitytrainingonsexualorientationandgender
identitydevelopment.Eachsectionprovidessuggestedlanguageandanonymizedquotesfrom
astatewidesurveyofstakeholdersweconductedoverJune1325,2015.
Ourexperiencehasbeenthatprogramsandstaffwantgoodoutcomesforallyouthintheircare,
butoftendonotfeeltheyhavetheexpertiseortrainingtoworkeffectivelywithLGBTQyouth.
Policieswhichprovideabaselineforstaffwouldbeasignificantsteptowardscreatingachild
welfaresystemthatissafeandaffirmingforallyouth.ThemembersoftheWorkgroupandthe
localtaskforcesstandreadytosupporttheDepartmentwitheducationandassistanceto
improvetheoutcomesforLGBTQchildrenincare.

RobertLatham,Esq.
Chair,LGBTQChildWelfareWorkgroup
SupervisingAttorney,Children&YouthLawClinic

Topic: Definitions
Summary
Thelackofdefinitionsofgender,whichincludestransgenderandgendernonconforming
youth,andsexualorientation,whichincludesgay,lesbian,andbisexualyouth,creates
dangeroussituationsfortheseyouth,especiallysurroundingbedrooms,bathrooms,and
privacy.Bycreatingdefinitionsofgender,genderexpression,andsexualorientationthat
areinclusiveofallyouth,theruleswilleliminateuncertaintyforstaffandpromotesafetyfor
youth.

Current Language
TheDepartmentsdraftrulesusethewordgender,butdonotyetdefinetheterm.Thereis
alsonodefinitionofsexualorientationintherules.

Discussion
StudiesbytheWilliamsInstituteandCeresPolicyResearchhaveshownthatasmanyas19%
offosteryouthinsomeareasidentifyasLGBTQ.1LGBTQyoutharealsodisproportionately
foundincongregatecarefacilities.Despitethisfact,manygroupcarefacilitiesworkingwith
youthareunawareofthebestpracticesforthispopulation.Byapplyingpoliciesthatdonottake
intoaccounttheuniqueneedsandexperiencesofLGBTQyouth,facilitiesinadvertentlysubject
youthtodiscriminatoryanddangeroussituations. 2Theseharmfulsituationsdiscussedinthe
commentsbelowplaceallchildreninafacilityatriskandexposethefacilityandthestateto
significantliability.3
RulesthatcreateasafeandaffirmingenvironmentforLGBTQyouthmustclearlydefinethe
termssexualorientation,gender,andgenderexpression.Genderidentityisformedata
veryyoungage,oftenemergingaroundthesametimethechildlearnstospeak.4Mostpeoples
genderidentityiscongruentwiththeirgenderassignedatbirthhowever,whenthetwoarenot
congruent,achildmaybeginvoicingthisdiscrepancyveryearlyon.Similarly,everypersonhas
asexualorientation.Thoughthedevelopmentofeachpersonsorientationisunique,studies
showthatchildrenbecomeawareofattractionataroundage10.5Thebestsourceof
informationaboutthechildsidentityisthechild.Itisthereforeimportantthatchildwelfare
Wilson,Cooper,Kastanis,Nezhad,
SexualandGenderMinorityYouthinFosterCareb
yTheWilliams
Institute(
http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/safeschoolsandyouth/lafysaug2014/
).
2
Marksamer,Jody(2011).
APlaceofRespect:AGuideforGroupHomeFacilitiesServingTransgender
andGenderNonconformingYouth
bytheNationalCenterforLesbianRightsandtheSylviaRiveraLaw
Project(
http://www.nclrights.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/A_Place_Of_Respect.pdf
).HereafterAPlace
ofRespect.
3

See
,
e.g.
,
R.G.v.Koller
,415F.Supp.2d1129,1157(D.Haw.2006)
Rodriguezv.Johnson
,CivilAction
No.1:06cv00214RMBRLE(S.D.N.Y.filedJan.11,2006)
Doev.Bell
,754N.Y.S.2d846,85356(N.Y.
Sup.Ct.2003).Forfurtherdiscussionofthesecasessee
APlaceofRespect
at25
etseq.
4
Brill&Pepper(2008).
TheTransgenderChild:AHandbookforFamiliesandProfessionals
.CleissPress.
5
Ryan,C.(2003).LGBTYouth:Healthconcerns,servicesandcare.ClinicalResearchandRegulatory
Affairs,20(2),137158.
1

professionalsunderstandtheseconceptsandbeabletodiscussthemwithachildin
developmentallyappropriateways.Thepurposeofobtainingthisinformationisnottocategorize
ordiagnose,buttoprovidechildren,families,andcaregiversinformationandsupporttopromote
thechildshealthydevelopment.6

Suggested Language
Insertintorule65C14.001(Definitions):

Gender,sex,orgenderidentitymeansapersonsinternalidentificationor
selfimageasmaleorfemaleGenderidentitymayormaynotcorrespondtothegender
assignedtoapersonatbirththatislistedonthepersonsbirthcertificate.Theterms
male,female,ornonbinarydescribehowapersonidentifies.

Genderexpressionreferstothewayapersonexpressesgenderthroughappearance,
dress,groominghabits,mannerismsandothercharacteristics.

Sexualorientationmeansapersonsemotional,romantic,orsexualattractionto
membersofthesamegender,adifferentgender,oranygender,
e.g.
,homosexuality,
heterosexuality,orbisexuality.

Transgendermeanshavingagenderidentitythatisdifferentthanthepersonsgender
assignedatbirth.

Interaction with other Laws

Thischangedoesnotconflictwithanystateorfederallaw.Recognizingachildssexual
orientation,genderidentity,andgenderexpressionpromotesthesafety,wellbeing,andcultural
valuesofthechildasrequiredbyFloridastatutes.7

NationalCenterforLesbianRights,LegalServicesforChildren,FamilyBuilders,andCenterfortheStudy
ofSocialPolicy(2013).
GuidelinesforManagingInformationRelatedtotheSexualOrientation&Gender
IdentityandExpressionofChildreninChildWelfareSystems.
(
http://www.nclrights.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/Information_Guidelines_FINAL_DRAFT_32013.pdf
).
7
409.175,Fla.Stat.

Topic: Bedrooms, Bathrooms, and Privacy

Summary
ThecurrentrigidrulesaboutsleepingarrangementscontinuetoendangerLGBTQyouthand
arepremisedoninaccurateandmisguidedprinciples.Thesuggestedlanguagebelowallows
facilitiesflexibilitytodevelophousingarrangementsthatpromotethesafetyandwellbeingofall
youth,whileforbiddingdiscriminationagainstLGBTQyouthsolelybecauseoftheirgender
identity,genderexpression,orsexualorientation.Incombinationwithproposeddefinitions
outlinedabove,eliminatesambiguityincurrentrulecreatedbytheuseofundefinedterms.The
suggestedlanguagealsoextendsprivacytoshowersandtubs.

Current Language
Thedraftrulesprovideforonebathroompersixchildren,andrequireonlythattoiletsprovidefor
individualprivacy.8TheDepartmentsdraftruleonbedroomsisasfollows:

(d)Childrenover36monthsofageshallnotshareabedroomwithachildofthe
oppositegenderunlesseffortsarebeingmadetomaintainasiblinggroup.Ininstances
whereeffortsarebeingmadetomaintainasiblinggroup,thegrouphome,licensing
agentandcasemanagershallworktogetherindeterminingarrangementsforthesafety
andbestinterestsofthechildreninvolved.Rationaleforanydecisionmadeforchildren
overtheageof36monthstoshareabedroomwithachild(ren)oftheoppositegender
shallbedocumentedinFSFN.

Discussion
Transgenderandgendernonconformingyouthareatsignificantriskofharassmentandassault
insexsegregatedhousingandwhenusingtoiletandbathfacilities.9Inadditiontothepotential
forphysicalharm,theanxietyandhypervigilancerequiredbysexsegregatedliving
arrangementsandunsafeprivatespacesresultinyouthexperiencingnegativestressthat
compoundsunderlyingtraumaanddiscouragesaccesstocare.10

Theyouthonmycaseloadisstrugglingwithbathroomissuesatthistime,especiallyoutin
public.Theyouthwasbornamalebutbelievesthatheshouldhavebeenbornagirlandhis
exteriordoesnotmatchhisinterior.Whenoutinpublic,theyouthquestionswhichbathroom
heshoulduse.Hestatesthatifhegoesintoamalerestroom,hewillbebeatupbyanother
maleandifheusesafemalerestroom,hewillbearrestedforgoinginthewrongrestroom.

Fla.Admin.CodeAnn.r.65C14.008.
APlaceofRespectat42Herman,J.(2013).
GenderedRestroomsandMinorityStress:ThePublic
RegulationofGenderanditsImpactonTransgenderPeoplesLives
(
http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wpcontent/uploads/HermanGenderedRestroomsandMinorityStress
June2013.pdf
).
10
SeeHerman,J.(2013)atn.9.
9


CasemanagerCentralRegion.11

InflexiblesexsegregatedbedroomrulesandassumptionsthatLGBTQyouthrequireplacement
apartfromotheryouthseverelylimitLGBTQyouthsaccesstoplacementsandpushLGBTQ
youthintohomelessnessormorerestrictiveandexpensiveplacementsliketherapeuticfoster
care.Inonestudy,56%ofLGBTQhomelessyouthreportedfeelingsaferonthestreetthanin
theirfosterorgrouphome.12RefusalstohouseLGBTQyouthwithotheryouthareoftenbased
notonthechildrenspreferenceorselfassessmentofsafety,butonaninaccurateassumption
thatLGBTQyoutharemorelikelytoengageinappropriatesexualactivityorathigherriskto
sexuallyoffend.Suchbaseshavenoscientificdataorresearchtosupportthemandare
inappropriateandstigmatizing.

Ihadafosterkidthatwashomeless.Thegrouphomethatwouldhavekepthimintowndid
nottakehimbecausetheyassumedheneededasingleroombecausehewasgay.They
didnthaveasingleroomavailable,soheremainedhomelessuntilheagedout.

AttorneyB.NorthwestRegion.

[SegregationofLGBTQyouth]hasoccurredinseveralshelters.Whentheyhavealesbianor
gayclientwhoisopenlyouttheyplacethemintheobservation(suicidal)room,whichisthe
onlysingleroomtheyhave.Thisisawful,isolating,andmakestheyouthfeellikesomething
iswrongwiththem.

ServiceProviderSoutheastRegion.

Suggested Language
Amend65C14.008(8)(a)2toread:

Toilets
andtuborshower
thatprovideforindividualprivacy.

Amendproposedrule65C14.008(9)(e)toread:

Childrenover36monthsofageshallnotshareabedroomwithachildof
theopposite

a
different
genderunlesseffortsarebeingmadetomaintainasiblinggroup
ordoingsois
requiredforthesafetyorwellbeingofthechildren
.
Ininstanceswhereeffortsarebeing
madetomaintainasiblinggroup,t
T
hegrouphome,licensingagentandcasemanager
11

LGBTQChildWelfareWorkgroupWebSurveydatedJune1325,2015.Hereafter,surveyresponsesare
indicatedwithblueboxes.
12
Feinstein,Greenblatt,Hass,Kohn,Rana(2001).
JusticeforAll?
(
http://njjn.org/uploads/digitallibrary/resource_239.pdf
).

shallworktogetherindeterminingarrangementsforthesafetyandbestinterestsofthe
childreninvolved.Rationaleforanydecisionmadeforchildrenovertheageof36
monthstoshareabedroomwithachild
(ren)
of
theopposite

adifferent
gendershallbe
documentedinFSFN.
Transgenderchildrenshouldbeplacedconsistentwiththeir
genderidentityforthepurposesofthisrule,ifthechildagreestosuchplacement.Achild
shallnotbeisolated,moved,ordeniedplacementsolelybecauseofthechildsgender
identity,genderexpression,orsexualorientation.

Interaction with other Laws

Thischangedoesnotconflictwithanystateorfederallaw.TheOccupationalSafetyandHealth
Administration(OSHA)hasissuedguidancerecommendingemployersprovide
singleoccupancy,genderneutralbathroomfacilitiesandclarifyingthatindividualsmustbe
permittedtousesexsegregatedfacilitiescongruentwiththeirgenderidentity.Decisions
regardingbathroomfacilitiesmustnotbebasedonperceivedlackofsafetyordiscomfortof
otheremployees.13 TheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmenthasissueda
noticerequiringsinglesexshelterstoplaceclientsbasedongenderidentityifanindividual
preferssuchaplacement,andtoprovideforprivacyinbathroomandchangingareas.14Atleast
30countiesandcitiesinFloridacurrentlyprovidesomeprotectionagainstdiscriminationagainst
transgenderpersonsinpublicfacilities. 15

DepartmentofLabor.
AGuidetoRestroomAccessforTransgender
Workers
.(
http://www.dol.gov/asp/policydevelopment/TransgenderBathroomAccessBestPractices.pdf
).
14
U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment(2015).
AppropriatePlacementforTransgender
PersonsinSingleSexEmergencySheltersandOtherFacilities
(
https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/NoticeCPD1502AppropriatePlacementforTransg
enderPersonsinSingleSexEmergencySheltersandOtherFacilities.pdf
).
15
EqualityFlorida(
http://www.eqfl.org/Discrimination
).
13

Topic: Harassment, Discrimination, and Differential Treatment

Summary
Thecurrentrulesforbidarangeofconductincludingtheridiculeandhumiliatingtreatmentof
childreningrouphomes.ThesebroadruleshavefailedtoprotectLGBTQyouthincongregate
careagainstharassmentandattemptstochangeordiscouragetheirsexualorientation,gender
identity,andgenderexpression.Thereforelanguageissuggestedthatspecificallybanssuch
conductasitrelatestosexualorientationorgenderidentity.

Current Language
Therulescurrentlyforbidphysicalpunishment,ridicule,intimidation,verbalabuse,andcruelor
humiliatingtreatmentofchildreningrouphomes.16

Discussion
Allmajorpsychological,psychiatric,socialwork,andchildwelfareorganizationsagreethat
effortstochangeapersonsgenderidentityorsexualorientationarebothineffectiveand
extremelyharmfultotheperson.Fourstateshavelawsbanningconversiontherapy.Moreover
manyyouthincarehaveexperiencedtraumaspecificallyrelatedtoeffortstochangetheir
sexualorientationorgenderidentity.ResearchbytheFamilyAcceptanceProjecthasshown
thatcaregiveracceptanceisvitalinpromotingthewellbeingofLGBTQchildrenconversely,
caregiverrejectionishighlycorrelatedwithseriousnegativeoutcomes.17Whilesomestudies
haveshownthatcaregiversoftenengageintheserejectingbehaviorsoutofparentalconcern,
youthexperiencethesebehaviorsasunsupportive,atbest,andhateful,atworst.18
Effortstochangeordiscourageayouthsidentitycanalsoariseintheformofdifferential
treatmentoftheyouthcomparedtootheryouthinthehome.Forexample,policiesregarding
romanticrelationships,participationinrecreationalactivities,andaccesstocommunity
resources,includingmentorshipopportunities,shouldbeappliedevenhandedlywithoutregard
tosexualorientationorgenderidentity.19
BothofmyLGBTyouthhavebeenbulliedandIhavebeenahugeadvocateinmy
neighborhoodaswellintheschoolsetting.Iwillnevertolerateit,andmakesuretheywillbe
treatedequallyandascomfortablyaspossible

FosterparentSuncoastRegion.

16

Fla.Admin.CodeAnn.r.65C14.021(3).
Ryan,Huebner,Diaz&Sanchez,
Familyrejectionasapredictorofnegativehealthoutcomesinwhite
andLatinolesbian,gay,andbisexualyoungadults
in
Pediatrics
2009123346352.
(
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19117902
)
18

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.mccca.org/resource/resmgr/Files/LGBTissuebriefwithpractice.pdf
19

See
NewYorkCityAdministrationforChildrensServicesPolicy#2012/01
(
http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/downloads/pdf/lgbtq/LGBTQ_Policy.pdf
).
17

Uponbecominglicensedtobeafosterparent[theCBC]wantedtoputintoplacea"sexual
safetyplan"formytenyearoldtranschild.Itoldthemno!

FosterparentSuncoastRegion.

Oneofmyclientshaschangedplacementssixorseventimesinthepastsixmonthsinlarge
partduetoantitransharassmentinthehomes.

AttorneyC.SouthernRegion.

Suggested Language
Insertinto65C14.021:

(3)Facilitystaffshallnot:

(g)Engageindiscriminatorytreatmentorharassmentonthebasisofachildsrace,
nationalorigin,religion,gender,genderexpression,sexualorientation,ordisability.

(h)Permitharassmentorbullyingofchildrenbystafforotheryouthbasedontheirrace,
nationalorigin,religion,gender,genderexpression,sexualorientation,disability,orany
othercharacteristic.

(i)Attempttochangeordiscourageachildssexualorientation,genderidentity,or
genderexpression.Thisprovisiondoesnotapplytoactswhich:(1)provideacceptance,
support,andunderstandingofachildorthefacilitationofachildscoping,socialsupport,
andidentityexplorationanddevelopment,includinggenderidentityand
expressionneutralandsexualorientationneutralinterventionstopreventoraddress
unlawfulconductorunsafesexualpracticesand(2)donotseektochangethechilds
sexualorientationorgenderidentityorexpression.20

Interaction with other Laws

Thischangedoesnotconflictwithanystateorfederallaw.Floridalawspecificallyauthorizes
theDepartmenttolimitpracticesandteachingsingrouphomeswhichareinconsistentwiththe
health,safety,orwellbeingofanychild.21

20

SimilarlanguagehasbeenpassedinCaliforniaandOregon.
(
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2307

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB1172
).
21

409.175,Fla.Stat.

Topic: Clothing, Grooming, and Hygiene

Summary
TheDepartmentsdraftrulesaremoreaffirmingofLGBTQyouththanthecurrentrules,butstill
leaveambiguityastowhetherafacilitymaylimitayouthsclothing,grooming,andhygiene
itemsbasedonthatyouthsgenderassignedatbirth.Theproposedchangesclarifythat
childrenshouldbepermittedaccesstoclothing,grooming,andhygieneconsistentwiththeir
genderidentityandexpression.Clothing,grooming,andhygienedecisionsshouldnotbebased
onstereotypicalnotionsofappropriateclothingbasedonthegendermarkeronachildslegal
documentation.

Current Language
Thecurrentrulesstatethat
Thefacilityshallensurethateachchildhastheindividualitems
necessaryforpersonalhygieneandgroomingandhastraininginpersonalcare,hygiene,and
groomingappropriatetohisage,sex,race,cultureanddevelopment.22Thecurrentrulesalso
statethat
Thefacilityshallinvolvethechildintheselection,careandmaintenanceofhisorher
personalclothing,asappropriatetotheirageandability.Thefacilityshallallowachildto
possessandbringpersonalbelongings.Thefacilitymaylimitorsupervisetheuseofthese
itemswhilethechildisincare.23

TheDepartmentsdraftrulesstatethatThefacilityshallensurethateachchildhastheirown
clean,wellfitting,seasonalclothing,appropriatetothechildsageandindividualneeds.

Discussion
Whentransgenderyouthexpresstheirgender,theyareexpressingafundamentalaspectof
theiridentitynottryingtobreaktherulesorcauseproblems.24Whenafacilityprohibitsa
transgenderyouthfromexpressingtheirgender,thiscancausetheyouthsignificantdistress,
makingitdifficultfortheyouthtobenefitfromtheprogram,andcancompeltheyouthtorun
away.25

TherulesshouldnotprohibitLGBTQyouthfromdressinginaccordancewiththegender
whichtheyidentify.Thefosterparentsshouldhavediscretionregardingtheappropriateness
oftheclothing,butappropriatenessshouldnotbedeterminedbasedongenderassignment
rather,itshouldbeonwhethertheclothingisappropriateforschool,etc.

AttorneyA.NorthwestRegion.

22

Fla.Admin.CodeAnn.r.65C14.020.
Fla.Admin.CodeAnn.r.65C14.020.
24
APlaceofRespectat12.
25
APlaceofRespectat32.
23

10

Suggested Language
Amendproposedrule65C14.018toread:

(4)Thefacilityshallensurethateachchildhastheindividualitemsnecessaryfor
personalhygieneandgroomingandhastraininginpersonalcare,hygiene,and
groomingappropriatetothechildsage,gender,race,cultureanddevelopment.
Children
whosegenderidentitydoesnotmatchtheirgenderassignedatbirthshallnotbedenied
accesstoitemsnecessaryforortrainingregardingpersonalhygieneandgroomingthat
areconsistentwiththeirgenderidentityorexpression.

(5)Thefacilityshallinvolvethechildintheselection,careandmaintenanceof
hisorher
thechilds
personalclothing,asappropriateto
hisorhertheir

thechilds
ageandability.
Thefacilityshallallowachildtopossessandbringpersonalbelongings.Thefacilitymay
limitorsupervisetheuseoftheseitemswhilethechildisincare
however,itmaynot
restrictitemsbasedonthechildsgenderidentityorexpression
.

(8)Thefacilityshallensurethateachchildhas
hisorher

thechilds
ownclean,well
fitting,seasonalclothing,appropriatetothechildsageandindividualneeds.
Children
whosegenderidentityorexpressiondoesnotmatchtheirgenderassignedatbirthshall
notbedeniedaccesstoclothingthatisconsistentwiththeirgenderidentityor
expression.

Interaction with other Laws

Thischangedoesnotconflictwithanystateorfederallaw.

11

Topic: Documentation and Confidentiality

Summary
AchildsidentityasLGBTQandHIVstatusshouldbeconsideredconfidentialinformationwhich
isnotsharedwithotherchildrenoradultswhodonothaveareasontoknowtheinformation,
unlessthechildchoosestosharethatinformation.Achild,withcounselingandsupport,isinthe
bestpositiontoknowwhetherdisclosinghisorherLGBTQidentityorHIVstatusissafeina
placement.Furthermore,theDepartmentshouldbegindocumentingwhenchildrenaredenied
placementsbasedontheirLGBTQidentityorHIVstatus.Notethatthedecisiontobegin
documentingLGBTQstatusshouldbemadecontingentonprotectionsbeingavailablefor
LGBTQyouthcollectinginformationonsexualorientationandgenderidentitywithoutaffirming
policiesinplacecouldsubjectyouthtofurtherdiscriminationandharassment.

Current Language
Proposedrule65C14.022onRecordsandConfidentialitycurrentlyrequiresapermanent
registerofbasicdemographicinformationofeachchild,includingthechildsname,birthdate,
address,datesofadmissionanddischarge,andcustodystatus.Therulealsorequiresafacility
tokeepanindividualrecordofeachchildforatleastfiveyears,whichincludesname,address,
gender,race,placeofbirth,religion,birthdate,namesofpersonssignificanttothechild,social
history,legaldocuments,medicalandschoolhistory,andadministrativepaperwork.
Thecurrentdraftrulesrequireallofthisinformationtobekeptconfidential,andspecifies
heightenedconfidentialityproceduresforchildrenwhoundergoHIVtesting.Thedraftrulesalso
requiretheDepartmenttoverifyaplacementswillingnesstoacceptachildwhoisHIVpositive
priortodisclosingtheidentityofthatchild.

Discussion
Childwelfareprofessionalscannotadequatelyservethechildrenintheircareunlessthey
understandtheuniqueneedsofeachindividualchild.26 Everyonehasasexualorientationand
genderidentity.Comparedtopreviousgenerations,youthtodayarediscussingtheseissues
andidentifyingasLGBTQatincreasinglyyoungerages,andchildrenmaybeawareoftheir
genderidentityandsamesexattractionslongbeforetheyhavewordstodescribetheirfeelings.
27

Documentationservesthedualpurposeofprovidingappropriateservicestotheindividualclient
andsupportingtheplanningandassessmentofadditionalprograms.Althoughanecdotal
evidencesuggeststhatLGBTQyouthinFloridaexperiencehigherplacementdisruptionsdueto
discriminationbasedontheiridentity,theDepartmentdoesnotcurrentlytrackthisinformation
26

GuidelinesforManagingInformationRelatedtotheSexualOrientation&GenderIdentityandExpression
ofChildreninChildWelfareSystems
(
http://www.nclrights.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/Information_Guidelines_FINAL_DRAFT_32013.pdf
).
27
Ryan,C.(2003).LGBTYouth:Healthconcerns,servicesandcare.ClinicalResearchandRegulatory
Affairs,20(2),137158.

12

foruseinprogramplanningandrecruitment.TheNationalCenterforLesbianRightshasissued
comprehensiveguidelinesforsexualorientationandgenderidentitydatacollectioninchild
welfarecontexts.28
Ihadaclientwhowasreadytostepdownfromatherapeuticgrouphome,buttwodifferent
placementsrejectedhimbecausehewasgay.Thefirstsaidthatshedidntthinkshecould
handlethat,andthesecondsaidshewasworriedaboutwhattheotherkidswouldthink.

AttorneySouthernRegion.

Onceachildssexualorientationandgenderidentityaredocumented,itisimportantforthat
childtoknowwhohasaccesstothatinformationandhowitwillbeused.Theconsequences
thatflowfromdisclosureofpersonalinformationareprimarilybornebythepersonwhoisthe
subjectoftheinformation,andyoungpeopleareuniquelyqualifiedtoassesstheanticipated
positiveandnegativeconsequencesofdisclosure.29

Suggested Language
Insertintoproposedrule65C14.022:

(2)Thefacilityshallmaintainindividualrecordsforeachchildincarewhichshallinclude
thefollowing:

(a)Thename,address,
genderassignedatbirth,sexualorientation,
gender
identity
,
race,religion,birthdate,andbirthplaceofthechild

(5)
AchildsHIVtestingstatus,sexualorientation,orthefactthatachildsgender
identitydoesnotmatchtheirgenderassignedatbirthshallbeconsideredconfidential
informationandshallnotbedisclosedbythefacilitytoanypersonexceptasauthorized
inthisrule.

TheidentityofanychilduponwhomanHIVtestisperformedand/orhisor
herHIVtestresult

Suchconfidentialinformation
shallbedisclosedtoanemployeeof
theDepartmentorchildcaringorchildplacingagencydirectlyinvolvedintheplacement,
care,orcustodyofsuchchildandonlywhentheemployeeneedstoknowsuch
informationinordertosafelyperformjobduties.Anemployeehasaneedtoknowthe
identify
confidentialinformation
ofachild
andhisorhertestresults
if:

28

NationalCenterforLesbianRights,LegalServicesforChildren,FamilyBuilders,andCenterfortheStudy
ofSocialPolicy(2013).
GuidelinesforManagingInformationRelatedtotheSexualOrientation&Gender
IdentityandExpressionofChildreninChildWelfareSystems.
(
http://www.nclrights.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/Information_Guidelines_FINAL_DRAFT_32013.pdf
).
29

Id.

13

(a)Theemployeeisinvolvedincasespecificservices,suchasassessingneeds,
determiningeligibility,arrangingcare,monitoringcaseactivities,permanencyplanning
andprovidingcareforthechildinresidentialplacementor

(b)Theemployeeisinvolvedincasespecificsupervisionormonitoringofcasesfor
eligibilityorlegalcomplianceorcaseworkservices,or

(c)Theemployeeisinvolvedinprovidingcasespecificclericalandvoucheringsupport.

(6)The
identifyofachilduponwhomanHIVtestisperformed

confidentialinformationof
achildunderthissection
mustbedisclosedtoafosterfamily,orchildcaringor
childplacingagencylicensedpursuanttoFloridaStatutes,whoisdirectlyinvolvedinthe
careofsuchchildandhasaneedtoknowsuchinformation.Theidentityofthechild
shallbedisclosedonlyafterthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

(a)TheDepartmentorchildplacingorchildcaringagencyhasprovidedallavailable
information,including
HIVtestresults
confidentialinformationunderthissection
,social
informationandspecialneeds,inamannerthatdoesnotpermitidentificationofthe
child,and

(b)Thedecisiontoplacethechildinaspecificplacementhasbeenconfirmed.

(c)Iftheplacementdeclinestoacceptachildduetothechildstransgenderstatus,
sexualorientation,orHIVtestingstatus,thatshallbedocumentedinFSFNforboththe
placementandthechild.

(7)Thechildcaring,childplacingagency,fosterhomeoradoptivehomewhohas
acceptedanHIVinfectedchildforcareshallbegivenastatementinwritingwhich
includesthefollowinglanguage:Thisinformationhasbeendisclosedtoyoufrom
confidentialrecords.Theconfidentialityofthisrecordisprotectedbystatelaw.Statelaw
prohibitsyoufrommakinganyfurtherdisclosureofsuchinformationwithoutthespecific
writtenconsentofthepersontowhomsuchinformationpertains,orasotherwise
permittedbystatelaw.

(8)Thechildsrecordshallcontaindocumentationthatthewrittenstatementwasgiven
tothechildcaring,childplacingagencyortothefosteroradoptiveparents.

(9)Thecasefilesshallnotbesegregatedorflaggedinanywaywhichwouldpermittheir
identificationascasefiles
ofHIVinfectedchildren.
containingconfidentialinformation
underthissection.

14

(10)Forachildovertheageofsevenyearsoldandabsentemergencycircumstances,a
childshallbeinformedoftheplanneddisclosureandthereasonforthedisclosureprior
tothedisclosure.

Interaction with other Laws

Theproposedlanguagedoesnotconflictwithanystateorfederallaw.

15

Topic: Written Policies, Support, and Training

Summary
Thecurrentrulesdonotrequireanyspecifictrainingingenderidentityandexpressionorsexual
orientation

Current Language
Thedraftrulesrequirepersonneltoundergothesametrainingasfosterparents.

Discussion
InordertoensurethesafetyofLGBTQyouthincare,facilitystaffmustreceivepropertraining
andsupporttounderstandtheuniqueneedsoftheseyouthandimplementnondiscrimination
policiesandaffirmingpractices.TherearenumerousnationallyacceptedLGBTQtraining
curriculaforallsegmentsofchildwelfarepractice.30Additionally,staffshouldfullyanticipate
workingwithLGBTQyouthintheirprogram,andmustcommittoservingthoseyouthinasafe
andaffirmingmanner.

Suggested Language
Insertinto65C14.023(PersonnelandStaffingRequirements):

(19)Thefacilityshalldocumentthattrainingreceivedbydirectchildcarestaffincludes
thefollowingareas:

(j)Sexualorientation,genderidentity,andgenderexpressionusingacurriculum
approvedbytheDepartmentinconsultationwithLGBTQadvocacyorganizations.

Interaction with other Laws

Theproposedlanguagedoesnotconflictwithanystateorfederallaw.

30

SeetheAmericanInstitutesforResearchsRecommendedLGBTQCulturalCompetenceTools,Curricula,
andResources,May2015.

16