This letter transmits Ohio Administrative Code Chapter (OAC) 5101:2-48 rules which were amended as a result of the five year review. OAC 5101:2-48-15 and 5101:2-48-17 will be effective June 15, 2009, all other rules will be effective May 15, 2009.

The following is a brief explanation of the changes.

5101:2-48-02 "Putative father registry" outlines the procedures for requesting a search of the Ohio putative father registry. The definition of "putative father" was added to this rule and will be removed from OAC 5101:2:1-01 "Children services definition of terms." This rule was amended to indicate that a requesting party may only request one final search of the registry per child and that the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) will only conduct one final search of the registry per child.

5101:2-48-03 "Requirement of social and medical history" outlines the importance of, and procedures for, obtaining social and medical history information from biological parents. This rule was amended to comply with the Department's required format for rules.

5101:2-48-06 "Assessor roles and responsibilities" outlines the responsibilities and training required for assessors and the timeframes for submitting documentation of these trainings. This rule was amended to change the timeframe for notifying ODJFS of completion of all assessor training and termination of employment of contract with an agency or court from three business days to ten business days. This rule was also amended to update the revision dates on forms that are referenced in this rule and to remove the reference to the JFS 01349 "Foster Home Homestudy" which is no longer used.

5101:2-48-08 "Adoption inquiry" outlines the procedures an agency must take when contacted by a prospective adoptive applicant. This rule was amended to clarify the follow-up that must occur and what documents that must be provided to an inquirer.

5101:2-48-14 "Preparation of child for adoptive placement" outlines the procedures an agency must take in preparing a child for adoptive placement. This rule was rescinded and the information was merged with 5101:2-48-16 now titled "Adoption preplacement and placement procedures."

5101:2-48-15 "Provision of information to a prospective adoptive family matched with a specific child" outlines what documentation must be provided to the prospective adoptive parent prior to placing a child in that home. The title of the rule was changed to "Provision of information to a prospective adoptive parent(s) matched with a specific child." This rule was also amended to update the revision dates on forms that are referenced in this rule and to comply with the Department's required format for rules.

5101:2-48-16 "Pre-adoptive staffing, matching and placement procedures," now titled "Adoption preplacement and placement procedures," outlines the pre-adoptive staffing, matching and placement procedures for agencies. This rule was amended to clarify that the initial matching conference may be conducted in conjunction with the pre-adoptive staffing when the permanent surrender or the file stamp date of the permanent custody order is not under appeal. This rule was also amended to require the agency to demonstrate and document diligent and child specific recruitment efforts for a child when the agency elects to not search the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS).

5101:2-48-17 "Prefinalization services," now titled "Assessor visits and contacts with children in adoptive homes prior to finalization," outlines the procedures that must occur upon the placement of a child into an adoptive home. This rule was rescinded and filed as a new rule due to the number of changes made. This rule was amended to require that a visit shall be made during the first thirty days, not including the visit during the first seven days of placement. This rule also requires that a face-to-face visit with any household member whose permanent residence is the adoptive home shall be made every sixty days and prior to finalization and two face-to-face visits, conducted no less than sixty days between visits must be made with any household member whose permanent residence is the adoptive home but who may temporarily reside elsewhere.

5101:2-48-21 "Child study inventory" outlines the procedures for developing, completing and updating a child study inventory. This rule was amended to comply with the Department's required format for rules.

INSTRUCTIONS:

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