Background

In accordance with the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ACYF-CB-PI-18-09,  and Public Law 115-123, Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), changes were made to Title IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, enacted February 9, 2018 which authorized new optional Title IV-E funding for family first prevention services (FFPS) for mental health,  substance abuse and in-home parent skill-based programs for: (1) a child who is a candidate for foster care, (2) pregnant/parenting foster youth, and (3) the parent(s) or kinship caregiver(s) of those children and youth as defined in section 5101.85 of the Revised Code. Rules have been created to instruct Title IV-E agencies on the implementation of the Title IV-E FFPS program requirements and traditional candidacy requirements. The rules will be effective October 1, 2021.

OAC rule 5101:2-45-01 entitled "Administration of the Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program" outlines the administration and requirements of the FFPS program for Title IV-E agencies to implement and administer the program.

OAC rule 5101:2-45-02 entitled "Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program eligibility" outlines the requirements and program components set forth for Title IV-E agencies eligibility criteria for FFPS program candidacy who has a screened in report, not in the legal responsibility for the care and placement/custody of a Title IV-E agency, at imminent risk of removal and meets at least one of the eligibility program components (1) open in-home case, (2) siblings and other children in the home of a child in foster care, (3) siblings and other children in the home of a child who has experienced a screened-in fatality or near fatality with a substantiated or indicated disposition and has assessed safety factors and risk contributors, (4) children who have discharged from legal responsibility for the care and placement/custody and achieved permanency within the last twelve months, (5) children adopted within the last twelve months and assessed with risk and safety concerns, (6) children at risk of experiencing an adoption dissolution. Pregnant or parenting youth in foster care in need of prevention services, including those youth who are in extended foster care, are also eligible when services are designated in the family case plan or prevention services plan prior to the provision of services.

OAC rule 5101:2-45-03 entitled "Reimbursement for Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program" outlines the categories of allowable costs that Title IV-E agencies may claim reimbursement for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services provided by culturally competent qualified provider(s) who provide diverse and equitable services, and in-home parent skill-based programs that include parenting skills training, parent education, and individual and family counseling that have been rated and approved by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse, are identified in the state’s five-year Title IV-E FFPS program plan and are administered by an approved provider through the Center of Excellence (COE). 

OAC rule 5101:2-45-04 entitled "Traditional Candidate for Title IV-E foster care" outlines the requirements for a child to be considered a traditional candidate for foster care who has a defined case plan that identifies in-home services to prevent removal, where foster care is a planned arrangement for the child. The Title IV-E agency may claim Federal reimbursement for the allowable administrative costs associated with the case management.

INSTRUCTION:

The following chart shows what materials should be inserted into the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM).