This letter transmits the implementation of rules 5101:2-36-20 and 5101:2-38-20 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), amendment of rule 5101:2-36-01 of the OAC, revisions to the JFS 01418, "Alternative Response Family Service Plan" and the JFS 01417, "Alternative Response Family Service Plan Review", and rescission of the JFS 04122, "Alternative Response Case Closure." These rules will become effective July 1, 2011.

The following is a brief explanation of the changes.

OAC 5101:2-36-01, "Intake and screening procedures for child abuse, neglect, dependency and family in need of services reports; and information and/or referral intakes" outlines the PCSA requirements for referrals of suspected child abuse and neglect. This rule includes the PCSA responsibilities in recording referral information, categorizing referral information, and completing a screening decision with referral information in the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS). This rule is being amended to include language permitting a PCSA with approval from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to assign screened in child abuse and neglect reports to alternative response assessment. The rule also includes criteria for screened in child abuse and neglect reports that are required to be assigned to an assessment/investigation. Additionally, a family in need of services report category of alternative response required non-lead PCSA contacts was included.

OAC 5101:2-36-20, "Public children services agencies assessment requirements for child abuse and neglect reports in alternative response" sets forth the PCSA requirements for responding to accepted child abuse and neglect reports assigned to the alternative response pathway.

OAC 5101:2-38-20, "Public children services agencies requirements for child abuse and neglect reports receiving on-going services in alternative response" sets forth the PCSA requirements for cases receiving on-going services within the alternative response pathway.

FORMS:

The JFS 01418, "Alternative Response Family Service Plan" is utilized by the PCSA to document concerns, activities, and services when there is agreement between the PCSA and a family for service provision through the alternative response pathway. The form was revised to identify whether the family service plan was developed after the assessment of safety or after completion of the Family Assessment. Additionally, the language within the form was modified to enhance clarity for both caseworkers and the family regarding the services to be provided and the expected outcome of the service provision.

TheJFS 01418-I, "Alternative Response Family Service Plan" is being revised to incorporate and address revisions made to the JFS 01418.

TheJFS 01417, "Alternative Response Family Service Plan Review" is utilized by the PCSA to review services and activities within the Family Service Plan to determine if they are effective in addressing concerns and increasing family strengths and/or supports. The form was revised to identify each activity or service contained within the Family Service Plan and document the family's progress or any known barriers in completing the activity or services. A risk reassessment of child abuse and neglect was also added to examine changes the service provision may have had on the level of risk within the family. Additionally, a section was included for the worker to document the case decision to continue providing services or to close the case, and the rationale to support this decision.

TheJFS 01417-I, "Alternative Response Family Service Plan Review" is being revised to incorporate and address revisions made to the JFS 01417.

The JFS 01422, "Alternative Response Case Closure" is being rescinded. The reassessment of risk is now included in the JFS 01417, "Family Service Plan Review" and case closure will be documented utilizing existing SACWIS functionality.

The JFS 01422-I, "Alternative Response Case Closure" is being rescinded along with the JFS 01422.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart indicates the materials that should be removed from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and the materials that should be added.