The Rilya Wilson Act1 provides priority for child care services for children who are at risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. These children are receiving protective services and are identified on the Child Care Certificate as Funding BG1.
What do I do when an at-risk child is absent?
When an at-risk (BG1) child has an unexcused absence or seven consecutive days of excused absences, the school readiness provider must notify the Family Safety Program Office of the Department of Children and Family Services or its designee (Citrus Family Care Network).
Since June 1, 2022, the At-Risk Child Unexcused Absence Report will only be received via email.
Fill out the At-Risk Child Unexcused Absence Report and email it to Citrus Family Care Network at
BG1DaycareAbsences@citrusfcn.com
Keep a copy of the report for your records.
School Readiness contracted early care and education partners are obligated to immediately report:
· Any unexcused absence* of a BG1 child by the end of the business day following the unexpected absence, or
· Seven (7) consecutive excused absences of a BG1 child by the end of the seventh consecutive excused absence.
*An unexcused absence is when a child is absent on a day when he or she is supposed to be present and the parent or caregiver fails to report the absence.
1The Rilya Wilson Act, F.S. 39.604
Children who are in the care of the state due to abuse, neglect or abandonment must participate in a licensed early education or child care program 5 days a week. If a child covered by this law is absent from the program on a day when he or she is supposed to be present, the person with whom the child resides must report the absence to the program by the end of the business day. Children who are subject to this law may not withdraw from the program without the prior written approval of the responsible agency. All absences shall be reported the following business day to the Family Safety Program Office of the Department of Children and Family Services or its designee (Citrus Family Care Network).