This letter transmits amendments to five Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules regarding foster care licensing as a result of the five-year review.  These rules will be effective April 1, 2023.

The following is a brief summary of the changes:

OAC 5101:2-5-04.1 entitled Acceptance of Accreditation in Lieu of Certification Requirements provides guidance to agencies on the process for presenting materials to show their accreditation meets specific rule requirements for licensure.  The rule was updated for clarity.  No substantive changes were made. 

OAC 5101:2-5-14 entitled Treatment or Diagnostic Services provides guidance to agencies on additional services used for children in foster care and how to document those services.  The rule was updated to add mental health to the list of services in paragraph (A).  No other changes were made.    

OAC 5101:2-5-15 entitled Volunteers and College Interns provides guidance to agencies on the requirements for the use of interns and volunteers in foster care agencies.  The rule was updated for clarity.  No substantive changes were made. 

OAC 5101:2-5-34 entitled PCPA and PNA Case Plans and Administrative Case Reviews for Direct Placements provides guidance to agencies on the requirements for completion of a case plan for foster children who were directly placed by their guardian.  The rule was updated for clarity.  No substantive changes were made. 

OAC 5101:2-7-11 entitled Socialization and Education provides guidance to agencies on how to engage foster children in day-to-day activities for socializing within and outside of a school setting.  The rule was updated to add paragraph (D) to the list of reasonable and prudent parenting standards located in paragraph (E).  No other changes were made. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

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