(A)The state adoption
assistance loan fund provides loans to prospective adoptive parents residing in
Ohio to cover adoption expenses incurred by, or on behalf of, a prospective adoptive
parent and for which the prospective adoptive parent carries the ultimate liability
for payment. This rule does not apply to step-parent adoptions.
(B)The state adoption
assistance loan fund will be administered through a financial institution or institutions
approved by the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS). The financial
institution or institutions shall set the loan repayment terms, the procedures for
collection of loan arrearages, and any monetary penalties for loan arrearages or
improper use of loan funds.
(C)If the child being
adopted resides in Ohio, the prospective adoptive parents may receive up to three
thousand dollars from the state adoption assistance loan fund.
(D)If the child being
adopted does not reside in Ohio, the prospective adoptive parents may receive up
to two thousand dollars from the state adoption assistance loan fund.
(E)The public children
services agency (PCSA), private child placing agency (PCPA) or private non-custodial
agency (PNA) shall inform prospective adoptive parents who inquire about adoption
services through the agency that the state adoption assistance loan is available.
(F)In order to be
eligible for a state adoption assistance loan, a prospective adoptive parent shall
meet the following requirements at the time of application:
(1)Have one of the
following approved homestudies:
(a)A JFS 01673 "Assessment
for Child Placement (Homestudy)" (rev. 6/201112/2014) or equivalent for children adopted from another
state.
(b)A JFS 01692 "Application
for Adoption of a Foster Child or Sibling Group"
(rev. 06/200912/2014).
(c)A copy of a homestudy
narrative report in the case of an international adoption.
(2)Have been matched
with an identified child who is legally free for adoption and who will be adopted
prior to their eighteenth birthday.
(3)Have applied for
the state adoption assistance loan prior to finalization of the adoption.
(G)In addition to
the requirements outlined in paragraph (F) of this rule, a prospective adoptive
parent must shall also
meet the requirements of the financial institution administering the state adoption
assistance loan fund.
(H)If a prospective
adoptive parent is interested in applying for a state adoption assistance loan,
the PCSA, PCPA or PNA shall provide the prospective adoptive parent with documentation,
on agency letterhead, indicating the requirements outlined in paragraph (F) of this
rule have been met.
(I)In the case of
a private or an international adoption, the prospective adoptive parent shall obtain
the documentation outlined in paragraph (F) of this rule from the agency which completed
their homestudy.
(J)Once the prospective
adoptive parent has obtained the required documentation from the PCSA, PCPA or PNA,
the prospective adoptive parent shall:
(1)Provide the documentation
to the financial institution.
(2)Complete the financial
institution's application for the state adoption assistance loan.
(K)The state adoption
assistance loan shall be used for adoption services which are reasonable and necessary
such as adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses directly related
to the legal adoption of a child as defined in paragraph (L) of this rule. These
expenses cannot be incurred in violation of state or federal law and cannot be reimbursed
from other sources or funds.
(L)Other adoption
expenses directly related to the legal adoption of a child refers to the cost of
the adoption incurred by or on behalf of the adoptive parent(s) and for which the
adoptive parent(s) carries the ultimate liability for payment. These expenses can
include, but are not limited to, costs related to:
(1)The adoption homestudy.
(2)Health and psychological
examinations.
(3)Supervision of
the placement prior to the final decree of adoption.
(4)Reasonable cost
of transportation, lodging, and food for the child and/or adoptive parent(s) when
necessary to complete the placement or adoption process.
Effective: 8/1/2019
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 4/10/2019 and 08/01/2024
Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Date: 06/17/2019
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3107.018, 5101.143
Rule Amplifies: 3107.018, 5101.143
Prior Effective Dates: 07/01/2011, 09/15/2014