This letter transmits amendment to two Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules 5101:2-5-13 and 5101:2-9-21 surrounding foster care. The rules will be effective on 12/15/2023. The following is a list of the changes.

OAC 5101:2-5-13 entitled Required agency policies, plans and procedures provides guidance to agencies on the minimum required polices, plans and procedures for the agency.  Paragraph (A)(1)(a) was amended to clarify the definition of prone restraint and to state that any face-down positioned restraint of a child is not permitted for any length of time.

OAC 5101:2-9-21 entitled Care, supervision and discipline provides guidance to residential facilities in disciplinary procedures. The title line is changing to Residential care, supervision and discipline, there is another rule with a different purpose but entitled the same. Paragraph (C)(19) was amended by removing language and clarifying that any face-down positioned restraint of a child is not permitted for any length of time.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart indicates the materials that should be removed from the Family, Children and Adult Service Manual (FCASM) and the materials that are to be inserted in the FCASM.