Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida
Filed: Oct. 04, 2019
The issues in this case are whether Respondent, Department of Children and Families (Department or Respondent), was substantially justified in initiating a disciplinary action against Petitioner, My First Steps of Bradenton, Inc. (My First Steps or Petitioner), and/or whether special circumstances exist that would make it unjust to award attorney's fees and costs to Petitioner pursuant to section 57.111, Florida Statutes (2019).1The Department’s Administrative Complaint was substantially justified when issued. Special circumstances also exist that would make an award unjust. Either showing dictates denial of an award of fees and costs under s. 57.111.
