Background:
In order to be employed in a licensed child care center,
administrators, employees, and child care staff members are required to be
immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and tetanus, diphtheria,
and pertussis (Tdap). Substitute House
Bill 210 of the 133rd General Assembly now requires tuberculosis
(TB) testing before employment in a child care center, if an applicant meets
the criteria outlined in the new policy below.
New Policy:
In response to Substitute House Bill Number 210, the Ohio Department
of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has implemented a new policy regarding the
screening of child care center employees for tuberculosis (TB).
This policy is effective April 12, 2021.
Before employing a person as an administrator, child care staff
member or employee, each child care center is to have documentation on file for
each individual verifying whether the person has done both of the following:
- resided
in a country identified by the world health organization (WHO) as having a high
burden of tuberculosis. A current list
of identified high burden countries (HBC) for TB can be found in the most
recent report on the WHO website at https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports
- arrived
in the United States within the five years immediately preceding the date of
application for employment.
If the person meets the criteria described above, the child care
center is to require the person to undergo a TB test before employment. The TB test is either a two-step Mantoux
tuberculin skin test or a blood assay for m. tuberculosis.
Future course of action determined by the results of the TB test
are as follows:
|
If the result of any tuberculosis test is negative |
The child care center may employ the person.
|
|
If the result of any tuberculosis test performed is positive |
Prior to employment, the child care center is to
require the person to undergo additional testing for tuberculosis, which may
include a chest radiograph or the collection and examination of specimens.
|
|
If additional testing indicates active
tuberculosis | Until the county or district tuberculosis control unit
determines that the person is no longer infectious, the child care center is
to not employ the person or, if employed, the center is to not allow the
person to be physically present at the program's location. Evidence that a person is no longer infectious is to
consist of a written statement to that effect signed by a representative of
the tuberculosis control unit.
|
|
If additional testing indicates latent
tuberculosis | Until the person submits to the child care center
evidence that the person is receiving treatment as prescribed by a licensed
health professional, the child care center is to not employ the person or, if
employed, the center is to not allow the person to be physically present at
the program's location. Once the person submits to the program evidence of a
tuberculosis treatment regimen, the child care center may employ the person
and allow the person to be physically present at the program's location. Evidence is to consist of a written statement to that
effect signed by a representative of the tuberculosis control unit that is
overseeing the person's treatment. |
Licensed health professionals that meet the qualifications to
prescribe TB treatment include the following:
licensed physicians, licensed physician assistants, certified nurse
practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists.
Child care centers may check with their local board of county
commissioners to locate the county TB control unit.
Implementation:
ODJFS will monitor and assess compliance with this new procedure
beginning on April 12, 2021.
Child care centers are to comply with the requirements of this
procedure letter while rule 5101:2-12-08 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC)
is moving through the rule revision process.
Revised Form:
The JFS 01296 "Employee Medical Statement for Child Care"
has been revised to include a section for the health care provider to document
that an individual has been screened for tuberculosis (TB), and tested, if
required, as a result of the screening.
The most recent version of all ODJFS forms referenced in Chapters
5101:2-12, 5101:2-13, 5101:2-14, 5101:2-16, 5101:2-17 and 5101:2-18 OAC can be
accessed through Forms Central.
Questions:
Please contact the Child Care Policy
Helpdesk at 1-877-302-2347, option 4, or at childcarepolicy@jfs.ohio.gov if you
have any questions about the new policy.