BACKGROUND
On March 9, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine declared a State of Emergency
by Executive Order 2020-02D due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the initial
declaration, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) issued several
Procedure Letters (FCASPL 348, FCASPL 356, and FCASPL 359) to provide policy and
practice guidance related to the pandemic.
On June 18, 2021, Governor DeWine lifted the State of Emergency Order,
and ODJFS issued FCASPL 371 on June 21, 2021, which rescinded and replaced the previously
issued Procedure Letters (FCASPL 348, FCASPL 356, and FCASPL 359), and provided
guidance that ODJFS would continue providing technical assistance through July 31,
2021 as agencies transitioned practices back to requirements prior to the State
of Emergency Order.
PURPOSE
This Procedure Letter serves as a reminder of the policy and practice
that was reinstated and that Licensing and Technical Assistance Specialists will
begin monitoring these requirements beginning August 1, 2021. This Procedure Letter
also provides guidance on certain flexibilities that will remain for a period of
time.
RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements, which allowed for flexibility during
the State of Emergency, reverted back on June 18, 2021 when the State of Emergency
was lifted. In addition, agencies are no longer required to notify the Help Desk
of positive COVID-19 cases. As stated above, Licensing and Technical Assistance
Specialists will begin monitoring the following requirements beginning August 1,
2021:
- Caseworker visitation
- Foster Care and Adoption interviews, safety audits
and home visits
- Residential staff-child ratios
- Bridges- visit requirements
- Bridges-signature requirements
CONTINUED ALLOWANCES
Flexibility for the following requirements will be permitted to ensure
placement stability, adhere to timeframes previously documented in the ODJFS COVID-19
Response Frequently Asked Questions document, and to maintain federal guidance outlined
in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for extended foster care:
Foster
Home Capacity
Specific placements that were made during the State of Emergency,
which were permitted with licensing staff approval to exceed foster home capacity
may be maintained to not disrupt stability of those placements. However, no new
placements above capacity limits will be permitted, effective June 18, 2021.
Foster
Care Training
All foster care training may continue virtually as it did during
the pandemic. Live synchronous training will be eligible for foster parent stipends
and reimbursements and agency allowance. Online training is eligible for foster
parent stipends and reimbursements but is not eligible for agency allowance. This
will remain in effect until December 18, 2021 (six months after the State of Emergency
being lifted), or upon the implementation of House Bill 8 Phase 2 rules.
CPR
and First Aid Training for Residential Agencies
CPR and First Aid training for child care staff may no longer be
completed online without certification. Certification for existing employees who
had online training must be completed by September 16, 2021, ninety days after the
end of the State of Emergency. CPR and First Aid training must also be completed
prior to working alone with children effective September 16, 2021, ninety days after
the end of the State of Emergency.
Bridges
Participants
Federal requirements in the Supporting Foster Youth and Families
through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947), Division X of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 will remain in effect through September 30, 2021.
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
Programmatic eligibility and visitation exceptions may be made for
those individuals instructed to quarantine due to exposure to, or testing positive
for, COVID-19 as verified by documentation. These exceptions will be approved by
ODJFS on a case-by-case basis.
QUESTIONS
Please contact your Licensing or Technical Assistance Specialist
if you have questions about the information in this Procedure Letter.
INSTRUCTIONS:
The following chart indicates what materials should be removed 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. 374
|