CFOP – Children and Families Operating Procedure

What is CFOP?

CFOP stands for Children and Families Operating Procedure — it’s the internal policy manual used by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). These procedures outline how DCF is supposed to handle everything from investigations to removals, family supervision, and case management.

Why It Matters

DCF employees are required to follow CFOPs. When they don’t, it can be used to prove misconduct, negligence, or violations of your rights. These documents are public and can be powerful tools in exposing errors, demanding accountability, or supporting your case in court.

How You Can Use It

  • Compare what DCF did in your case to what CFOP says they should’ve done

  • Bring specific CFOP sections to court to show policy violations

  • Use CFOPs in complaints, appeals, or motions

  • Educate others on their rights and what DCF must legally follow

CFOP 005 Publications Management
CFOP 015 Documentation Management
CFOP 030 Legal
CFOP 040 Travel
CFOP 050 Systems Management
CFOP 055 Financial Management
CFOP 060 Human Resources
CFOP 070 Facilities Acquisition and Management
CFOP 075 Procurement and Contract Management
CFOP 080 Property Management
CFOP 140 Adult Services
CFOP 155 Forensic Transfers to Civil Mental Health Treatment Facilities
CFOP 165 Economic Self Sufficiency Services
CFOP 170 Child Welfare
CFOP 175 Family Safety
CFOP 180 Inspector General
CFOP 215 Safety

CFOP 170 – Child Welfare

  • CFOP 170‑01 – Florida Child Welfare Practice Model

  • CFOP 170‑02 – Completing Hotline Intake Assessment

  • CFOP 170‑03 – Procedures Related to Missing Children

  • CFOP 170‑04 – Child Maltreatment Index myflfamilies.com

  • CFOP 170‑05 – Child Protective Investigations

  • CFOP 170‑06 – Child Fatality Response myflfamilies.com

  • CFOP 170‑07 – Develop and Manage Safety Plans

  • CFOP 170‑08 – Plan of Safe Care for Infants Affected by Prenatal Substance Use

  • CFOP 170‑09 – Family Assessment and Case Planning

  • CFOP 170‑10 – Providing Services & Support for Children and Caregivers

  • CFOP 170‑11 – Placement

  • CFOP 170‑12 – Adoptions

  • CFOP 170‑13 – Child Support in Child Welfare Cases

  • CFOP 170‑14 – Response to the Human Trafficking of Children

  • CFOP 170‑15 – Federal & State Funding Eligibility

  • CFOP 170‑16 – Administrative Functions

  • CFOP 170‑17 – Services for Transitioning Youth & Young Adults

  • CFOP 170‑18 – Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services for Children in Care

  • CFOP 170‑19 – Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children

  • CFOP 170‑20 – Child Care Licensing Program Desk Reference Guide

  • CFOP 170‑25 – Domestic Violence Center Certification Standards

CFOP 050 – Systems Management (IT & Data Security)

  • 50‑01 Use of Criminal Justice Info Services & DVID 

  • 50‑02 Security of Data & IT Resources – Latest as of May 2025; governs PII protection & breach response

  • 50‑03 Security Planning

  • 50‑04 Software Licensing & Copyright Policy

  • 50‑07 Office Automation Standards

  • 50‑09 Procurement of IT Resources

  • 50‑13 Internet/Intranet Policy

  • 50‑14 Virus Prevention & Recovery

  • 50‑25 Social Networking & Social Media Use

  • 50‑26 Data Sharing Agreements

  • 50‑27 Data Classification & Access Control

  • 50‑28 Media Protection

  • 50‑29 Wireless Access Policy

  • 50‑30 Identity & Access Management Plan

  • 50‑31 Privileged Access Policy

CFOP 015 – Records & Publications Management

  • 015‑04 Travel, 015‑07 Public Documents, 015‑09 Public Records, etc.: Governs request handling, document retention, and data transparency.

CFOP 030 – Legal

  • 030‑02 Response to Subpoenas for Records

  • 030‑05 Cases Requiring Final Orders

  • 030‑07 Consular Notification

CFOP 060 – Human Resources & Privacy

  • 060‑13 Collection & Use of Social Security Numbers by Employees

  • 060‑17 HIPAA Privacy & Breach Notification: Protecting medical/patient data

  • 060‑10 ADA & Discrimination Complaints

CFOP 180 – Office of Inspector General

  • 180‑02 Policies & Procedures for OIG

  • 180‑04 Mandatory Reporting Requirements to OIG

CFOP 175 – Family Safety

  • 175‑19 Penalties for False Reporting of Abuse

  • 175‑44 Refugee & Entrant Unaccompanied Minor Services

Why These Matter

These CFOPs serve as the legal rulebook for how the agency must operate:

  • Investigations, timelines, thresholds → CFOP 170‑01 to 170‑05

  • Privacy practices & data security obligations → CFOP 50‑02, 60‑13, 060‑17

  • Accountability tools (false reports, OIG, subpoena response) → CFOP 175‑19, 180‑02

  • Public transparency and legal compliance → CFOP 015, 030‑02