To streamline the documentation that agencies are required to provide to this office, this letter transmits the obsoletion of the JFS 01420 “Multiethnic Placement Act Corrective Action and Resolution Plan Data Collection Requirements” and the JFS 01668 "Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) Biennial Comprehensive Self-Assessment Report.” These changes are effective immediately.

Rather than complete the JFS 01420 and JFS 01668 every two years as well as updating the foster care and adoption plan as needed, agencies will no longer be required to submit the forms to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Instead, agencies will annually review and update their foster and/or adoptive recruitment plan(s). A few minor adjustments will be made to those plan requirements to ensure that MEPA compliance is sufficiently addressed. The review and update shall be completed in the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) by June 30 each year.

If your agency has access to SACWIS and the most recently approved plan(s) is in the system, the plan review/update must be completed in SACWIS by completing the following:

1.         Copy the current recruitment plan(s) in SACWIS by clicking the “copy” link next to the plan

2.         Review the Recruitment Plan Information and make any needed updates

3.         Add a new Effective Date of 07/01/2018 and then click on the Apply button

4.         Review the Recruitment Plan Details Topics and make any needed updates

5.         When the review and update is completed, click the Process Approval button and route to your ODJFS licensing specialist or technical assistance specialist for approval

6.         If no changes were made to the contents of the plan, please indicate this in the Comments field on the Process Approval screen

Private Agencies: If your agency foster and/or adoptive recruitment plan(s) is not currently in the SACWIS system you will need to enter the recruitment plan(s) into the system with an effective date of 07/01/2018, then follow steps 5 and 6 above.

This guidance will result in amendments to the following rules:

• 5101:2-33-11 Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) Agency Administrative Requirements;
• 5101:2-5-13 Required Agency Policies, Plans and Procedures;
• 5101:2-48-05 Agency Adoption Policy and Recruitment Plan;
• 5101:2-48-13 Non-Discrimination Requirements for Adoptive Placements.

INSTRUCTIONS:

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