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June 18, 2021, Governor DeWine lifted the State of Emergency Order, and ODJFS issued FCASPL 371 on June 21, 2021, which rescinded and replaced the previously issued Procedure Letters (FCASPL 348, FCASPL 356, and FCASPL 359), and provided guidance that ODJFS would continue providing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.