This letter transmits the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule governing the home assessment and approval process of substitute care placements with relative and nonrelative caregivers. A number of Public Children Services Agencies (PCSA) have requested clarification on the prohibited offenses and rehabilitation considerations for relative / non-relative caregivers due to the statutory references in the rule. In response, the Department has made revisions to the rule to clarify this information.

OAC 5101:2-42-18 entitled PCSA and PCPA approval of placements with relative and nonrelative substitute caregivers sets forth the overall requirements of the PCSA or PCPA having custody of a child to consider approving and placing a child with a relative or nonrelative if the placement is determined to be in the child's best interest. This rule was amended to clarify the criminal offenses precluding approval of a placement with a relative or nonrelative substitute caregiver.