FCASMTL 80 (HB OWF and Children Services, eff. 10/10/97)
Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Transmittal Letter No. 80
October 10, 1997
TO: All Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Holders
FROM: Arnold Tompkins, Director
SUBJECT: H.B. 408 - Administrative Code Rules Governing the Interface Between Ohio Works First and Children Services

House Bill 408 (H.B. 408) authorized county departments of human services (CDHS) to continue providing Ohio Works First cash assistance to an assistance group whose child was removed from the home due to abuse, neglect or dependency if the public children services agency (PCSA):

notifies the CDHS at the time of the child's removal that the agency believes the child will be able to be returned to the assistance group within three months; and

informs the CDHS at the end of both of the first two months after the agency removes the child that the parent, legal guardian or specified relative of the child is cooperating with the case plan prepared for the child under section 2151.412 of the Revised Code and the agency is making reasonable efforts to return the child to the assistance group.

Cash assistance and participation by the assistance group in Ohio Works First may continue for no longer than three payment months when a child is removed from the home.

As a result, Ohio Administrative Code rule 5101:2-39-12 "Emergency removal of a child from his own home" has been amended to include this new provision. It is critical that PCSAs work in cooperation with CDHSs when a child can be reunified with his/her family within a three month time frame. In order to facilitate reunification within three months the PCSA should develop an expedited case plan and provide the family with immediate services needed in order for the family to be reunited.

H.B. 408 also indicates that each Ohio Works First self-sufficiency contract entered into between the CDHS and family may include information on the assistance and services the PCSA will provide the family. If the PCSA assistance and services are contained in the self-sufficiency contract Ohio Works First families who fail to comply with the PCSAs case plan will be sanctioned by the ODHS.

The procedures for sharing information between the CDHS and PCSA regarding assistance and services to be provided to families by both systems will be specified in the written plan of cooperation entered into by the CDHS and PCSA. When working with families who are receiving services from both the CDHS and PCSA, the PCSA needs to coordinate with the CDHS to develop joint service planning with families and notification between agencies when the PCSA removes a child from the home of a Ohio Works First assistance group or when a child is returned home to a Ohio Works First assistance group.

OAC rules 5101:2-39-02 "Case records for children services", 5101:2-39-51 "Joint planning and sharing of information among the PCSA and CDHS" and 5101:2-42-70 "Provision of services to unmarried minor females" were amended to reflect the new H.B. 408 requirements.