FCASPL 362 (Foster Caregiver Training Plan Update 5101:2-5-40)
Family, Children and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 362
October 6, 2020
TO: All Family, Children, and Adult Services Manual Holders
FROM: Kimberly Hall, Director
SUBJECT: Foster Caregiver Training Plan Update 5101:2-5-40

Due to the passage of Substitute House Bill 8 of the 133rd General Assembly and the pending signing by Governor DeWine, ODJFS is working to create flexibility in the manner in which trainings are offered and to reduce the number of training hours required for foster caregivers and applicants.  Per rule 5101:2-5-40 (B) agency training plans are due October 15, 2020, but because of this new flexibility, the training plans will now be due April 15, 2021 to ensure agencies have time to evaluate, plan and adjust. 

Currently approved training plans will remain in effect until June 1, 2021. If agencies have already submitted a training plan pursuant to 5101:2-5-40, that training plan will be reviewed for a January 1, 2021 effective date.  Agencies that have submitted a training plan may submit a new plan by April 15, 2021 if they intend to lessen the number of hours they require.

Rules are being drafted to reduce the hours required for training for both family and specialized foster homes as outlined in the chart below.  These changes are expected to be effective in the spring 2021. 

Training Type Current Hours Proposed Hours
Pre-placement 36 24
Continuing – Family Foster Homes 40 30
Continuing – Specialized Foster Homes 60 45
 

Agencies will have flexibility to require more than the minimum, up to thirty-six hours of pre-placement training, up to forty hours of continuing training for family foster caregivers and up to sixty hours of continuing training for specialized foster caregivers and will continue to be reimbursed accordingly.

Please know that this is the first phase of revisions as a result of this new flexibility.  ODJFS will be engaging in additional work to establish a long-term plan.

INSTRUCTIONS:

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

LOCATION REMOVE AND FILE AS OBSOLETE INSERT/REPLACEMENT
PROCEDURE LETTERS   FCASPL No. 362