This letter transmits three amended Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules governing the foster caregiver preplacement and ongoing training programs. The amendments have been made to comply with the provisions set forth in House Bill 214 of the 127th General Assembly. The following is a brief explanation of the proposed changes. These rules will be effective May 22, 2008.

OAC 5101:2-5-33 entitled Foster caregiver preplacement and continuing training was amended to increase the number of required preplacement training hours. The rule was also amended to outline the process for how a foster caregiver may receive up to twenty percent of the required amount of continuing training hours.

OAC 5101:2-5-38 entitled Payment of foster caregiver training stipends; reimbursement of training allowances to recommending agencies was amended to outline how a foster caregiver shall be reimbursed for preplacement training. The rule was also amended to clarify how the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services would reimburse the recommending agency for preplacement training completed by the foster caregiver.

OAC 5101:2-5-40 entitled Preplacement and continuing training programs was amended to add language to address the approval process when a training proposal is submitted by a consortium. The rule was also amended to include an additional training course which may be offered as appropriate to the needs of the foster caregiver.

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 in the FCASM.