This letter transmits the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules governing Management and Administration that are being amended as a result of the Five Year Review, recent policy updates, and as the result of the Partners for Ohio Families (PFOF) initiative. The following is a brief explanation of the proposed changes:

OAC 5101:2-44-06, entitled "Eligibility for the state adoption maintenance subsidy program" outlines the eligibility requirements for the state adoption maintenance subsidy program. The title of this rule has been changed to "Eligibility for the state adoption maintenance subsidy program." The definition of "qualified professional" has been moved to a more appropriate location and "medical doctor" has been changed to "physician." The paragraphs of this rule have been put in a more logical order, the term "special needs child" has been changed to "child with special needs" throughout the rule, and the reference to "mental retardation" was removed. The one year timeframe that required a child to be in the home of his or her prospective adoptive parents as a foster child has been changed to six months to be consistent with the other foster to adopt rules.

OAC 5101:2-44-14 entitled "State adoption assistance loan fund" outlines the eligibility process and procedures for applying for a state adoption assistance loan for adoption-related expenses. There were no amendments made to this rule.

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.