This letter transmits one new rule and one amended rule requiring public children services agencies (PCSAs) to develop a county specific disaster preparedness plan in cooperation with key community stakeholders and service providers (e.g., caregivers, families, shelters, courts, law enforcement and other agencies). OAC rule 5101:2-5-13.1 has been created and rule 5101:2-33-26 has been amended to address the issue of disaster preparedness. These rules will be effective August 25, 2008.

Because Ohio is a state supervised, county administered system, plans to ensure continuity of critical direct services (e.g., assessment/investigation, substitute care and in-home supportive services to children and families, etc.) interrupted by natural or man made disasters, will have to be developed by county PCSAs in collaboration with their local stakeholders and service providers. In addition, licensed private child placing agencies (PCPAs) holding custody of children placed in substitute care and private non-custodial agencies (PNAs) supervising licensed substitute care providers, will also be required to develop disaster preparedness plans to ensure continuity of critical services for children and families. The National Child Welfare Information Gateway's website (http://www.childwelfare.gov/highlights/disaster) provides a direct link to the guide, Coping with Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies, published by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement, as well as other helpful guidance to assist in plan development.

5101:2-5-13.1 Disaster Preparedness Plan Requirements. This new rule was created to ensure agencies develop and implement a disaster preparedness plan.

5101:2-33-26 The county child abuse and neglect memorandum of understanding. This rule was revised to provide clarity as to the delineation of the respective duties and requirements of all involved in the assessment/investigation of child abuse and/or neglect as specified in the memorandum of understanding (MOU). Additionally, the types of cases where a joint investigation may be undertaken was expanded. Also, the requirement to add a statement to the MOU regarding the types of situations where the assistance of law enforcement is routinely requested by the PCSA has been included in the rule. The rule amendments include addressing the issues related to disaster preparedness as outlined in 5101:2-5-13.1 within the county MOU. Lastly, grammatical changes were made for the sake of clarity.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that you need to remove from and insert into the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM).