(1) The Department of Children and Families shall establish a mediation process for the purpose of resolving disputes that arise between the department and agencies that are operating under contracts with the department.
(2)(a) The department shall appoint at least one mediation panel in each of the department’s service districts. Each panel shall have at least three and not more than five members and shall include a representative from the department, a representative of an agency that provides similar services to those provided by the agency that is a party to the dispute, and additional members who are mutually acceptable to the department and the agency that is a party to the dispute. Such additional members may include laypersons who are involved in advocacy organizations, members of boards of directors of agencies similar to the agency that is a party to the dispute, members of families of department clients, members of department planning councils in the area of services that are the subject of the dispute, and interested and informed members of the local community.
(b) If the parties to the conflict agree, a mediation panel may hear a complaint that is filed outside of the panel’s service district.
(3) Prior to bringing a complaint before a mediation panel, each party must agree to abide by the decision of the panel. A final decision of the panel may not be appealed under chapter 120. However, this section does not limit the right of the department or any agency under contract with the department to file a proceeding under chapter 120 if either party fails to request mediation or refuses to participate in mediation as provided in this section.
History.—s. 16, ch. 91-158; s. 152, ch. 99-8; s. 151, ch. 2014-19.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 402 - Health and Human Services: Miscellaneous Provisions
402.04 - Award of Scholarships and Stipends; Disbursement of Funds; Administration.
402.05 - Requisites for Holding Scholarship and Stipend.
402.06 - Notes Required of Scholarship Holders.
402.115 - Sharing Confidential or Exempt Information.
402.12 - National Community Mental Health Centers Act.
402.16 - Proceedings by Department.
402.161 - Authorization for Sale of Property.
402.164 - Legislative Intent; Definitions.
402.165 - Florida Statewide Advocacy Council; Confidential Records and Meetings.
402.166 - Florida Local Advocacy Councils; Confidential Records and Meetings.
402.17 - Claims for Care and Maintenance; Trust Property.
402.18 - Welfare Trust Funds; Creation, Use.
402.181 - State Institutions Claims Program.
402.185 - Productivity Enhancing Technology.
402.19 - Photographing Records; Destruction of Records; Effect as Evidence.
402.24 - Recovery of Third-Party Payments for Medical Services.
402.26 - Child Care; Legislative Intent.
402.301 - Child Care Facilities; Legislative Intent and Declaration of Purpose and Policy.
402.3025 - Public and Nonpublic Schools.
402.3026 - Full-Service Schools.
402.305 - Licensing Standards; Child Care Facilities.
402.30501 - Modification of Introductory Child Care Course for Community College Credit Authorized.
402.3054 - Child Enrichment Service Providers.
402.3055 - Child Care Personnel Requirements.
402.307 - Approval of Licensing Agency.
402.308 - Issuance of License.
402.309 - Provisional License or Registration.
402.3115 - Elimination of Duplicative and Unnecessary Inspections; Abbreviated Inspections.
402.312 - License Required; Injunctive Relief.
402.313 - Family Day Care Homes.
402.3131 - Large Family Child Care Homes.
402.314 - Supportive Services.
402.315 - Funding; License Fees.
402.317 - Prolonged Child Care.
402.33 - Department Authority to Charge Fees for Services Provided.
402.40 - Child Welfare Training and Certification.
402.402 - Child Protection and Child Welfare Personnel; Attorneys Employed by the Department.
402.403 - Child Protection and Child Welfare Personnel Tuition Exemption Program.
402.404 - Child Protection and Child Welfare Personnel Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
402.41 - Educational Materials and Training Concerning HIV Infections and Aids.
402.49 - Mediation Process Established.
402.56 - Children’s Cabinet; Organization; Responsibilities; Annual Report.
402.57 - Direct-Support Organization.
402.62 - Strong Families Tax Credit.
402.70 - Interagency Agreement Between Department of Health and Department of Children and Families.
402.71 - Transfer of Funds, Positions, and Budget Authority Within Department.
402.73 - Contracting and Performance Standards.
402.80 - Office of Community Partners.
402.81 - Pharmaceutical Expense Assistance.
402.82 - Electronic Benefits Transfer Program.
402.86 - Rulemaking Authority for Refugee Assistance Program.