This letter amends Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5101:2-44-06, "Eligibility of adoptive family and adoptive child for the state adoption maintenance subsidy program"; OAC rule 5101:2-44-08, "Redetermination and Amendment of a State Adoption Maintenance Subsidy"; and OAC rule 5101:2-49-21, "Reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses for a child with special needs." These rules were amended as a result of Am. Sub. H.B. 1 of the 128th General Assembly and the Fostering Connection to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. They will be effective November 9, 2009.

The following is a brief explanation of the changes:

OAC 5101:2-44-06, "Eligibility of adoptive family and adoptive child for the state adoption maintenance subsidy program," outlines the eligibility requirements for the State Adoption Maintenance Subsidy (SAMS) program. The amended rule clarifies the criteria for determining eligibility and amends the maximum monthly amount a family may receive for an eligible child to $240.

OAC 5101:2-44-08, "Redetermination and amendment of a state adoption maintenance subsidy," outlines the procedures for completing the annual redetermination for SAMS. The amended rule adds language for procedures the public children services agencies must follow if funds are not available to support the program.

OAC 5101:2-49-21, "Reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses for a child with special needs," outlines the procedures for reimbursement of adoption-related expenses for children with special needs. The amended rule changes the nonrecurring reimbursement payment to $1,000 per child. It also adds language to prohibit nonrecurring reimbursement for children adopted internationally, as required by the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart indicates the materials that should be deleted from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM), and the materials that should be added.