This letter transmits amendments to one Ohio Administrative Code rule and two forms related to requirements for kinship caregivers.  This rule has been revised as a result of the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act and alignment with corresponding foster caregiver requirements.  The rule will be effective on July 1, 2021.

The following is a brief explanation of the changes:

OAC 5101:2-42-18 entitled PCSA and PCPA Approval of Placements with Relative and Nonrelative Substitute Caregivers provides requirements for the assessment and approval of kinship caregivers. Language has been added to require the agency to notify the kinship caregiver of the right to be heard in court hearings involving the kinship child who has been placed in the home. Language has been added to require a search of the national sex offender registry for prospective kinship caregivers and adults residing in the home.  The Ohio Revised Code citations for disqualifying offenses have been removed from the rule, which now refers to Appendix A for the list of disqualifying offenses. Language has been amended to clarify rehabilitation standards for disqualifying offenses.  Language has been added to require a placing agency to notify a recommending agency about the intent to place a child when the home of the kinship caregiver is licensed as a foster home or approved as an adoptive home.

JFS 01447 Assessment of Relative or Nonrelative Substitute Caregiver has been updated to refer to Appendix A of the rule for the list of disqualifying offenses.

JFS 01447-I Instructions for Completing the JFS 01447, Assessment of Relative or Nonrelative Substitute Caregiver has been edited to remove the list of disqualifying offenses and to refer to Appendix A of the rule for the list of disqualifying offenses, and to add the list of offenses applicable to youth ages twelve to seventeen who reside in the home for which the caregiver is required to notify the approving agency of any convictions.

INSTRUCTIONS:  The following chart depicts what materials should be deleted from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and the materials that are to be inserted in the FCASM.