This letter transmits amended rule 5101:2-42-18. The amended rule incorporates the recommendations of an established Children and Family Services Plan workgroup charged with exploring and developing a statewide kinship home assessment. This rule will become effective 07/01/2017. The following is a brief explanation of the changes.

OAC 5101:2-42-18, "PCSA and PCPA approval of placements with relative and nonrelative substitute caregivers" sets forth requirements for the assessment of relative and nonrelative (kinship) caregivers for the placement of children who are unable to remain in their own homes. This rule has been amended to provide clear timelines for the initiation and completion of the assessment, as well as notification of approval or denial to the caregiver. Additionally, language regarding disqualifying offenses and rehabilitation standards has been amended in an effort to allow public children services agencies (PCSAs) and private child placing agencies (PCPAs) more flexibility when assessing kinship caregivers who might otherwise not meet more stringent requirements applied to licensed foster and adoptive caregivers. The amended rule has been edited to require PCSAs and PCPAs to use the JFS 01447 "Assessment of relative or nonrelative substitute caregiver."

This letter also transmits revisions to the JFS 01447, "Assessment of relative or nonrelative substitute caregiver" as well as a new form JFS 01447-I "Instructions for completing JFS 01447, Assessment of relative or nonrelative substitute caregiver." The JFS 01447 has been edited to reflect amendments to rule 5101:2-42-18 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The JFS 01447-I has been created to provide PCSAs and PCPAs with guidance when completing the JFS 01447.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart identifies the material that needs to be removed from the Family, Child and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and the material that should be added: