For Ann Kraus, having her homeschooled son Eric help at the coffee shop she manages seemed like an ideal situation (names changed for privacy). His volunteer hours at the café helped him gain confidence as he interacted with customers and accrued job skills.

A surprise inspection by a state official in December threatened to derail Eric’s progress—all over a misunderstanding about the law. The official accused Ann of violating Florida’s child labor regulations, but the allegation was based on restrictions that are no longer in force.

HSLDA stepped in, helping the coffee shop resolve the situation and avoid what could have been severe penalties. We also ensured Eric could continue a development opportunity that clearly benefited him.

“Advocating for homeschooling families requires us to be adept in many different aspects of the law,” noted Tj Schmidt, HSLDA senior counsel. “In this case, we took part in educating a state official who apparently didn’t know that the Florida legislature had granted home education students more flexibility when it comes to working and volunteering.”

An Education that Works

Ann started homeschooling Eric in 2018. He is on the autism spectrum, and when his public school couldn’t provide the additional attention and services he needed, Ann and her husband decided they could do better by teaching him at home.

By the time Eric reached high school age Ann felt comfortable enough in his progress to return to school herself and earn a master’s degree in counseling and conflict resolution. In 2025 Ann accepted the job managing the coffee shop because its connection with several nonprofits offered an excellent opportunity to use her training.

Beyond supporting other ministries, Ann said that working at the café opened unexpected doors to meaningful conversation.

“People tell their barista everything,” she quipped. As a consequence, “I’ve had many great conversations with people.”

Ann also encouraged Eric to volunteer at the coffee shop as a natural extension of his homeschool program. He is scheduled to graduate from high school in May, and participating in a friendly work atmosphere has provided real-world experience he could not have obtained at home.

The results have been tangible. Eric has befriended another young man with special needs who volunteers at the coffee shop. He’s gotten to know regular customers to the point that he can guess what they want to order before they make their request. He’s become especially fond of baking blueberry muffins and mixing smoothies.

“It’s helped him come out of his shell,” noted Ann.

Legal Trouble

This nurturing environment was upended in a matter of minutes when a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation official visited in December.

“He honed right in on Eric,” recalled Ann.

Immediately the official accused Ann of violating state labor laws by having a 17-year-old work during school hours. Ann responded that because her son was homeschooled, the school-hours restriction didn’t apply to him.

The official disputed both the change in law and the assertion that Eric was homeschooled. He then threatened to penalize the cafe with a $2,500 fine.

“He wanted to throw the book at us,” said Ann. “I was very upset. I walked out the back door and cried.”

Ann followed up with her director and then contacted HSLDA for assistance.

“We confirmed that the state official was wrong,” said Schmidt. “About a year and a half ago, state law changed so that home education students no longer have to file a waiver in order to work or volunteer during school hours.”

He advised Ann to submit evidence that Eric is indeed being homeschooled under a home education program in accordance with Florida law, which she obtained from local public school officials.

In a few weeks the crisis was resolved, and the coffee shop was able to continue operating without severe disruptions. Still, Ann said she was disappointed that, in the interim, she had to keep Eric away from the cafe—preventing him from doing work he is good at and enjoys.

“I’m pleased we were able to help a homeschooling family get through a very trying time,” said Schmidt. “This case illustrates how the support of our members makes it possible for us to advocate in a wide range of circumstances—sometimes not merely enforcing laws that protect homeschooling but also having to explain those laws.”