In accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 5153.163, Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules have been developed for the state Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP).  This will be a hybrid program administered by the public children services agencies (PCSA) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). This letter transmits seven OAC rules in Chapter 5101:2-56, along with four new forms, that will be effective 01/01/2023. The following is a brief explanation of the rules:

OAC 5101:2-56-01 entitled Administration of the State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) provides an overview of the program and details who is responsible for administration of the program. It provides an overview of the responsibilities of ODJFS including negotiation of the monthly state KGAP amount.

OAC 5101:2-56-02 entitled Eligibility for State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) details the eligibility requirements of the state KGAP program. This includes the requirements that must be met by the kinship caregiver applying for the state KGAP program and the requirements related to the child.

OAC 5101:2-56-03 entitled Public Children Services Agency (PCSA) Eligibility Determination of the State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) identifies the responsibilities of the PCSA and ODJFS. It details how they will coordinate to administer the program including timelines for determining eligibility by the PCSA and the activities that follow a review of the eligibility criteria.

OAC 5101:2-56-04 entitled Requirements for State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Past Age Eighteen details the requirements of the caregiver and ODJFS should a child receiving state KGAP have a documented physical/mental disability or medical condition that would allow the payments to continue beyond age eighteen.

OAC 5101:2-56-05 entitled Reimbursement of Nonrecurring State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Expenses defines nonrecurring expenses. It also outlines the responsibilities of ODJFS including making kinship caregivers aware of the availability of funds.

OAC 5101:2-56-06 entitled Termination of State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Payments provides guidance regarding the termination process including reasons to terminate and the process for termination.

OAC 5101:2-56-07 entitled State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Record Requirements details the documents that must be kept in the case record.

JFS 00126 “State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Notice of Adverse Action” This form is completed for denial of the application or termination of the state KGAP payments.

JFS 00128 “Application for State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Payments” This form is completed for each child who is placed in the certified foster home of a kinship caregiver(s) who applies for a state KGAP subsidy.

JFS 00129 “State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Agreement” This form is used to enter into a legal agreement between ODJFS, the PCSA, and the kinship caregiver(s) for kinship guardianship assistance payments.

JFS 00129-I “Instructions for Completing JFS 00129 State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Agreement” This form provides instructions for completing the “State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Agreement.”

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