** Archive **
FCASPL 48 (Child Care for Foster Care Children - Archive)
Family, Children and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 48
March 7, 1996
TO: All Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Holders All Child Day Care Manual Holders
FROM: Arnold R. Tompkins, Director
SUBJECT: Employment-Related Day Care Payments for Children in Foster Care, Relative Care or Prefinalized Adoptive Homes

Effective January 1, 1998, public children services agencies (PCSAs) may authorize payments for employment-related day care services for both Title IV-E reimbursable children and non-Title IV-E eligible children placed in ODHS-approved foster homes, relative homes or prefinalized adoptive homes provided that the day care provider is licensed or certified. PCSAs have received an increase in their State Child Welfare Subsidy (SCWS) allocation to provide employment-related day care. The increase in the SCWS allocation may only be used to provide employment-related day care and may not be utilized to provide other day care services or other allowable SCWS services.

Title IV-E Reimbursable Children

PCSAs may authorize payments for employment-related day care services for Title IV-E reimbursable children in foster care above the uniform statewide standard Title IV-E foster care maintenance rates and payments related to the difficulty of care needs for children in the appropriate placements.

The PCSA may use the portion of their SCWS allocation applicable to day care as the non-federal match for Title IV-E reimbursable children. The PCSA will be reimbursed from federal Title IV-E funds as the applicable federal financial participation (FFP) rate for foster care maintenance payments. The FFP for Federal fiscal year 1996, is 60.17%.

A revised ODHS 1659 and instructions, for billing and reimbursement, will be transmitted in a Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Transmittal Letter (FCASMTL).

Non Title IV-E Eligible Children

Employment-related day care services for non-Title IV-E eligible children in foster care, relative care or prefinalized adoptive homes may be provided without regard to the income of the foster parent(s). The portion of the SCWS allocation applicable to day care may be used to reimburse up to 100% of the costs for employment-related day care services for non-Title IV-E eligible children in foster care.

Day Care Guidelines

The day care payment reimbursed by the PCSA shall not exceed the amounts referenced in rule 5101:2-16-381 of the Administrative Code entitled "Market rates and reimbursement ceilings for child day care benefits" which was transmitted by FCASMTL No. 48.

The definitions for the age categories are located in rule 5101:2-16-01 of the Administrative Code entitled "Definitions". Both rules are located in the Child Day Care Manual.

Employment-related day care payments may be authorized for children between the ages of thirteen and eighteen who meet the difficulty of care needs criteria referenced in rule 5101:2-47-21 of the Administrative Code entitled "Foster care maintenance (FCM) payments related to the difficulty of care needs of a child placed in a family foster home, relative home, or prefinalized adoptive home".

Funding Maximization

In order to maximize available funding, counties may want to also consider the following:

  • Foster parent pays fee assessed according to a sliding fee scale and the county picks up the remaining costs;
  • Foster parent receives a flat payment per month, per child toward the cost of care. Foster parent is responsible for any additional costs.

Payments for the cost of employment-related day care services made by the foster parent may not exceed the amounts referenced in rule 5101:2-16-381 of the Administrative Code and may not be used as the non-federal match for Title IV-E reimbursement. The PCSA may only claim agency costs and must provide any required match for federal reimbursement from either local or state funds.

Any questions regarding the information or instructions included in this procedure letter should be directed to the Office of Child Care and Family Services, Adoption and Placement Services Section (614) 466-5392 or County Technical Support Section at (614) 466-7762. An Administrative Procedure Letter (APL), "Funding Reimbursement and Financial Reporting Instructions" is forthcoming.