FCASPL 373 (HB 110 Foster Caregiver Certification Extension)
Family, Children and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 373
July 16, 2021
TO: Family, Children, and Adult Services Manual Holders
FROM: Matt Damschroder, Director
SUBJECT: HB 110 Foster Caregiver Certification Extension

BACKGROUND

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is issuing this Procedure Letter in accordance with the 2022-2023 Operating Budget, Amended Substitute House Bill 110 of the 134th General Assembly (HB 110), which was signed by Governor Mike DeWine on June 30, 2021.  The provisions of HB 110 become effective on September 30, 2021 (unless specifically stated otherwise within the legislation), including the statutory change summarized below.

PURPOSE

This Procedure Letter provides information and guidance to foster care agencies regarding the extension of foster caregiver certifications in accordance with statutory changes included in HB 110.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

HB 110 includes changes to Ohio Revised Code Section 751.20, effective September 30, 2021, to allow for foster care applicants, who began pre-service training between 2019 and 2021, to extend their time to be initially certified until December 31, 2021 due to the pandemic.  Any items completed after January 2019, which are necessary for initial certification, may be used toward certification, with the exception of background checks and safety audits. Background checks and safety audits must be timely in accordance with rule 5101:2-5-20 at the time of initial certification.

Additionally, HB 110 includes changes to Ohio Revised Code Section 751.20 to allow foster caregivers, who have not completed their recertification requirements during the pandemic, to complete those requirements by December 31, 2021, unless otherwise specified.  Below is a chart to assist in the understanding of the language in HB 110 as it relates to foster care certification extensions:

Study Type Guidance
Initial Certification on or before 12/31/2018 Any homes that started pre-service training on or before 12/31/2018 are not covered by the HB110 extension.
Initial Certification on or after 01/01/2019 Any homes that started pre-service training on or after 01/01/2019, have until 12/31/2021 to complete certification and/or training requirements.  The 18- month training timeframe in rule 5101:2‑5‑20 (K)(8) is re-instituted January 1, 2022.
Homes that expire from 04/02/2021-09/29/2021 Homes with certifications that expired between 04/02/2021 (when HB404 expired) and 09/29/2021 are not covered by the HB110 extension.
Homes that expire from 09/30/2021-12/31/2021 (Recertifications) Homes with certifications set to expire from 09/30/2021 – 12/31/2021 have until 12/31/2021 to complete recertification requirements or must be closed 1/1/2022 and start again as an initial applicant.

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart indicates 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. 373