(A)A foster child under two years of age or under thirty-five inches in height shall be provided with a full-sized crib which meets the following requirements:

(1)Crib slats shall be no more than two and three-eighths inches apart.

(2)Decorative cutout areas on crib end panels which could entrap the head of a child are not permitted.

(3)Only cribs that are compliant with the U.S. consumer product safety commission specifications shall be used.

(4)Each crib shall have a firm mattress which is at least one and one-half inches thick and covered with a waterproof material not dangerous to a child. The mattress shall fit close enough in the frame so that there is no more than one inch between the mattress and the sides of the crib.

(B)A bassinet or cradle may be used only for infants less than fifteen pounds in weight.

(C)A foster child under two years of age shall be provided with the following:

(1)Regular opportunities for individual attention and physical contact with a caring adult.

(2)Consistent and regular opportunities for safe and comfortable participation in developmental activities, as appropriate to the child's age and developmental ability, such as:

(a)Sitting.

(b)Crawling.

(c)Walking.

(d)Playing.

(D)A foster child under two years of age shall be supplied with safe play items appropriate to the child's age and developmental ability.

(E)A foster child under two years of age shall be fed according to instructions from the child's physician or the recommending agency as required by the individual child care agreement. A foster caregiver shall comply with the following requirements when feeding a child under the age of two:

(1)A caregiver shall ensure the child is placed in one of the following:

(a)High chair.

(b)Infant seat.

(c)Held.

(2)No foster child shall be placed in a crib or bassinet for feeding.

(3)A bottle shall not be propped for feeding at any time.

(F)Under both of the following conditions, a foster child under the age of two years may use a toddler bed or standard bed for sleeping:

(1)The foster caregiver, the custodial agency, and the recommending agency agree that the child continually creates a danger to him or her self by climbing out of his or her crib. Written documentation of any agreement shall be signed by a custodial agency representative and maintained in the foster caregiver's record.

(2)The child shall not use the upper bunk of a bunk bed.

(G)No one in the home is to co-sleep or bed-share with infants who are placed in the home.

Effective: 6/15/2020

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 3/19/2020 and 06/15/2025

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 06/05/2020

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5103.03

Rule Amplifies: 5103.02, 5103.03

Prior Effective Dates: 12/30/1966, 10/01/1986, 02/01/1988, 01/01/1991, 09/18/1996, 09/01/2002, 12/11/2006, 08/01/2009, 07/01/2014, 04/01/2019