In accordance with Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 119.032, each state agency is required to review its rules a minimum of once every five years. The intent of the law is to ensure that rules are clearly written and that program requirements are accurate, up-to-date and clearly expressed. To the extent possible, unnecessary paperwork will be eliminated and local agencies will be given increased flexibility. The purpose of a rule review is to determine whether a rule should be continued without amendment, be amended or be rescinded, taking into consideration each rule's scope and purpose.

A number of rules related to child care centers were recently reviewed and some changes were made. The following revisions will be effective December 1, 2011:

Rule 5101:2-12-21 "Care and Nurturing of Children in Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to remove references to websites that list choking hazards and to replace it with an appendix to the rule which lists common food choking hazards.

Rule 5101:2-12-22 "Child Guidance and Management in Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to clarify that child guidance must occur at the time of the incident.

Rule 5101:2-12-23 "Evening and Overnight Care in Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to clarify who is to provide basic hygiene items.

Rule 5101:2-12-27 "Training in First Aid, CPR, Management of Communicable Disease and Child Abuse Prevention in Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to separate the requirements for First Aid and Management of Communicable Disease and to clarify that the department will accept online training courses that have been reviewed and approved by ODJFS.

Rule 5101:2-12-28 "In-Service Training for Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to update language regarding electronic media training and to clarify what online courses are to be accepted.

Rule 5101:2-12-34 "Medical, Dental, and General Emergency Plans for Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule is being revised to reflect that the JFS 01242 Medical/Dental/General Emergency Plan has been updated and to add the requirement that weather emergency drills be practiced monthly March through September. Additionally, the current appendix to this rule has been removed.

Rule 5101:2-12-35 "Incident/Injury Report for Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule is being revised to update the ways that a JFS 01299 can be submitted and to clarify programs responsibilities regarding reporting of serious incidents.

Rule 5101:2-12-36 "First Aid Supplies/Procedures for Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule is being revised to replace the requirement for "vinyl" gloves in the first aid kit to "non-latex" gloves. The language regarding having a system to review the first aid kit and replace missing items has also been removed.

Rule 5101:2-12-37 "Children's Medical and Enrollment Records for Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to include a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) as a health care provider whom can sign off on a child's medical statement.

Rule 5101:2-12-38 "Care of Children with Health Conditions in Licensed Child Care Centers." This rule has been revised to define who is required to have a Medical/Physical Care Plan on file and what information must be included in that plan.

The electronic version of the Child Care Center Manual is located at: http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov. The manual contains all rules and transmittal letters that the department has issued to licensed child care centers. A current version of this manual should be accessible and utilized by all providers in all licensed child care centers. Please contact the Help Desk for the Office for Families and Children at 1-866-886-3537, option 4 if you have any questions.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that needs to be removed from and inserted into the Child Care Center Manual (CCCM).