This letter transmits two rule revisions regarding foster caregiver training requirements as a result of the passage of Substitute HB 8 of the 133rd General Assembly.  The rule revisions supersede FCASPL 365-A which was issued in January 2021 to immediately address the changes. These rules will be effective June 1, 2021.

OAC 5101:2-5-33 entitled Foster Caregiver Preplacement and Continuing Training

Outlines the training requirements for a foster caregiver.  A summary of the changes includes: 

• Paragraph (C)(2)(a) was amended to reduce the number of preplacement training hours for a family foster caregiver to twenty-four.  The paragraph was also amended to allow up to thirty-six hours. 
• Childhood trauma was also added as a new subject to the paragraph. A new paragraph (C)(2)(b) was added to provide guidance on which topics are required if a caregiver chooses to take twenty-four hours of preplacement training.
• Paragraph (C)(2)(c) was amended to change preplacement training language regarding independent living for a child who is at least fourteen years of age. 
• Paragraph (C)(2)(d) was amended to reduce the number of continuing training hours for a caregiver from forty hours to thirty hours.  The paragraph was also amended to add the required training topics if a caregiver has chosen to complete twenty-four hours of preplacement training and did not complete all topics.  These topics must be completed during the first certification period. 
• Paragraph (C)(2)(f) was amended to change continuing training language regarding independent living for a child who is at least fourteen years of age.
• Paragraph (C)(3)(a) was amended to lower the required preplacement training hours for a specialized foster caregiver from thirty-six to twenty-four.
• Paragraph (C)(3)(b) was amended to reduce the number of continuing training hours for a caregiver from sixty hours to forty-five hours.  The paragraph was also amended to add the required training topics if a caregiver has chosen to complete twenty-four hours of preplacement training and did not complete all topics.  These topics must be completed during the first certification period. 
• Paragraph (H) was amended to allow a caregiver and an agency to agree on up to fifteen hours of ongoing training that is provided outside of an approved training program.

OAC 5101:2-5-38 entitled Payment of Foster Caregiver Training Stipends; Reimbursement of Training Allowances to Recommending Agencies outlines the payment and reimbursement for foster caregiver stipends and training allowances.  Paragraph (C)(2) was amended to clarify the number of reimbursable training hours for training stipends.

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