This letter transmits a revised JFS 01668 "MEPA Biennial Comprehensive Self-Assessment Report". Federal laws and guidance pursuant to the Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 (MEPA) and the Inter-Ethnic Adoption Provision of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (Section 1808) (IEP) have been reviewed and the form has been revised and expanded to match the "Internal Evaluation Instrument" jointly disseminated on July 10, 2003 by the Office of Civil Rights and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. These revisions will better assist agencies to maintain compliance with MEPA-IEP.

The revised form must be used for the report that is required to be submitted to the department by March 1, 2006, as specified in the Ohio Administrative Code rule 5101:2-33-11 Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) agency administrative requirements.

An explanation of the revisions to the JFS 01668 appears below:

The format has been changed to capture more information on the child and prospective adoptive parents pertinent to MEPA and Title VI requirements. This form is divided into seven different sections: Recruitment of Foster Caregivers and Adoptive Parents; Screening, Orientation, Preparation and Assessment of Prospective Foster Caregivers and Adoptive Parents; Foster Caregiver/Adoptive Parent and Staff Training; Licensing/approval of Foster caregivers and Adoptive Parents; Assessment of Foster and Adoptive Children; Selection Process and Placement of Foster and Adoptive Children; and Quality Assurance and Compliance Monitoring. It also references OAC rule 5101:2-33-11 and has been changed to include a signature page for staff responsible for completing and submitting the completed JFS 01668 to ODJFS. In addition, it now includes a federal website address which can be used as a reference when completing this form. The JFS 01668 contains more detailed questions and the form also now includes the date identifying when the completed JFS 01668 must be submitted to ODJFS.

The JFS 01668 will be available on line at: http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/inter.asp

It will not be available in hardcopy from the ODJFS warehouse.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials are to be removed from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and what materials are to be inserted into the FCASM.