(A)A treatment foster caregiver initially certified after August 21, 2008 shall meet at least one of the following requirements:

(1)A minimum of three hundred sixty-five days of caring for a foster child in placement as a certified foster caregiver.

(2)A minimum of sixty hours of training in a classroom setting that complies with the following:

(a)For an applicant the training shall be completed within twenty-four months prior to the date of application for initial certification as a specialized caregiver.

(b)For a certified caregiver the training shall be completed within twenty-four months of the certified caregiver's written intent to upgrade their certification if the caregiver does not meet the requirement in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule.

(c)The training shall relate to children with special or exceptional needs as defined in rule 5101:2-47-18 of the Administrative Code.

(3)A minimum of five years cumulative experience caring for a child in the home of the foster caregiver or applicant on a daily basis.

(4)A minimum of one year of cumulative experience caring for a child who has special or exceptional needs as defined in rule 5101:2-47-18 of the Administrative Code in the home of the foster caregiver or applicant on a daily basis.

(B)Each treatment foster caregiver shall successfully complete the number of hours of preplacement and continuing training specified in the recommending agency's training policy required pursuant to rules 5101:2-5-13 and 5101:2-5-33 of the Administrative Code.

(C)Each treatment foster caregiver is a member of the treatment team and shall implement the service plan for each child as prescribed by the recommending agency.

(D)Occupancy limitations for a treatment foster home.

(1)A treatment foster caregiver may provide foster care for not more than five foster children, two of whom have exceptional needs requiring their placement in a treatment foster home.

(a)Any exceptions to the number of children with exceptional needs to be served, must have specific justification in accordance with the agency's policy for matching foster children and treatment foster caregivers pursuant to rule 5101:2-5-13 of the Administrative Code. Such justification, which may include the need to place a sibling group, or the abilities of a particular family in relation to the special or exceptional needs of a particular child, shall be documented in the child's case record and in the treatment foster home record.

(b)If more than two children with exceptional needs are placed in a treatment foster home, all agencies holding custody of any other children placed in the home shall be notified by the treatment foster care program within seventy-two hours of placement.

(2)A treatment foster caregiver who is also an appropriately trained and licensed professional may provide care for not more than five children with special or exceptional needs placed in the caregiver's home if both of the following applyA treatment foster caregiver may provide care for not more than five treatment foster children placed in the caregiver's home if either of the following apply:

(a)The caregiver has five years of child care experience and training related to serving children in foster care.The caregiver is an appropriately trained and licensed professional. The following shall be considered an appropriately trained and licensed professional:

(i)A social worker.

(ii)A professional counselor.

(iii)A psychologist.

(iv)A teacher.

(v)A marriage and family therapist.

(vi)A person who has a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a child development or social services field.

(b)The caregiver's primary means of support is from reimbursement as a treatment foster caregiver.The caregiver has five years of child care experience and training related to serving children in foster care.

(3)The following shall be considered an appropriately trained and licensed professional as required in paragraph (D)(2) of this rule:

(a)A social worker.

(b)A professional counselor.

(c)A psychologist.

(d)A teacher.

(e)A marriage and family therapist.

(f)A person who has a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a child development or social services field.

(4)(3)   Children placed in a foster home on or prior to March 31, 2005 shall not be moved to another placement solely to meet the requirements of paragraph (D)(1) or (D)(2) of this rule.

(E)A treatment foster caregiver or at least one member of a treatment foster caregiver couple or co-parent shall have weekly consultation and face-to-face contact at least every two weeks with the recommending agency's professional treatment staff. At least one of the face-to-face contacts each month shall be in the treatment foster home.

(F)A treatment foster caregiver shall prepare, and keep current, a written record of the behavior and progress of the child towards achieving the treatment goals as identified in the service plan of each foster child placed in the home as required by the agency.

(G)Under the direction of the treatment team leader, a treatment foster caregiver shall assume primary responsibility for implementing the in-home treatment strategies specified in the child's service plan and any revisions thereto.

(H)A treatment foster caregiver shall work cooperatively with the family of the child according to the child's service plan and case plan.

(I)A treatment foster caregiver shall perform any additional written responsibilities and duties established by the recommending agency for a treatment foster caregiver.

(J)A treatment foster caregiver shall attend and participate in the treatment team meetings for each child placed in his home. If the treatment foster home certificate is in the name of a couple or co-parents, only one caregiver is required to attend the treatment team meetings unless otherwise specified by the recommending agency.

Effective: 4/1/2019

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 11/19/2018 and 04/01/2024

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 02/07/2019

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5103.03, 5103.0316

Rule Amplifies: 5103.02, 5103.03, 5103.031, 5103.032, 5103.039

Prior Effective Dates: 01/01/2003, 08/22/2005, 08/21/2008, 10/01/2011, 07/01/2014