(A)The Ohio adoption grant program is a one-time payment per child provided to eligible adoptive parents for qualifying adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2023, as long as state funds are available. In the event state funding is no longer available, the Ohio adoption grant program will close to new applications until additional funds are secured or July first of the following state fiscal year (SFY), whichever occurs first. Once state funds have been exhausted, the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) is not to be held responsible for payment of grant payments for applications that have not been approved.

(B) As used in this rule the following have the same meaning as in section 5101.19 of the Revised Code:

(1)Adopted child;

(2)Adoption;

(3)Adoptive parent;

(4)Casework services;

(5)Foster caregiver;

(6)Qualified professional;

(7)Special needs.

(C)All of the following requirements are to be met to be eligible for receiving the Ohio adoption grant:

(1)The adoptive parent(s) resides in Ohio at the time of the application.

(2)The adoptive parent(s) has not previously received a grant payment from the Ohio adoption grant program for the adopted child for whom the parent is seeking payment.

(3)The adoptive parent(s) is to submit the JFS 01057 "Application for The Ohio Adoption Grant" and all other documentation pursuant to paragraph (E) of this rule no later than one year after the final adoption order, interlocutory order of adoption, or recognition of the adoption by this state under section 3107.18 of the Revised Code for the adopted child for whom the grant payment is sought.

(4)The adoption was not by a parent whose spouse is a biological or adoptive parent of the child prior to the adoption for which the payment is sought.

(D) If all of the requirements of paragraph (C) in this rule are met, a one-time payment is to be issued to the adoptive parent in accordance to the following:

(1)Ten thousand dollars; or

(2)Fifteen thousand dollars, if the parent was a certified foster caregiver for the child prior to adoption; or

(3)Twenty thousand dollars, if a qualified professional who does not provide casework services to the adopted child diagnoses the child with one or more special needs in the professional's area of expertise prior to the final order of adoption, interlocutory order of adoption, or recognition of the adoption by this state under section 3107.18 of the Revised Code.

(E)The following documentation is to be provided to ODJFS by the adoptive parent(s) with the JFS 01057 for approval and determination of eligible fund amount:

(1)A copy of a final order of adoption, an interlocutory order of adoption, or recognition of the adoption under section 3107.18 of the Revised Code.

(2)United States internal revenue service (IRS) form W-9, "Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification."

(3)Two forms of identification:

(a)Current identification for Ohio residence of the adoptive parent(s).

(b)United States social security card of adoptive parent(s).

(F)The following documentation, as applicable, is to be provided to ODJFS by the adoptive parent(s) with the JFS 01057 for approval and determination of eligible fund amount:

(1)Documentation the adoptive parent(s) was a foster caregiver(s) for the child prior to the adoption. The documentation containing information on the placement of the child, including name of the child, name of the foster parent(s) and placement dates can be provided by the public children services agency or private child placing agency.

(2)Documentation of the adopted child's diagnoses as outlined in paragraph (D)(3) of this rule on the JFS 01058 "Ohio Adoption Grant Program Special Needs Documentation."

(G) ODJFS will review the JFS 01057 and all submitted documentation described in paragraphs (E) and (F) of this rule to determine if the requirements for the Ohio adoption grant program are met and provide the family with a decision of approved or denied.

(H)Approved adoptive parent(s) will be informed of the payment amount and issued a one-time payment according to paragraph (D) of this rule by ODJFS.

(I)Adoptive parent(s) who have been denied as not meeting eligibility requirements for the Ohio adoption grant program will be notified by ODJFS and informed why the application was denied and may request a second review of the JFS 01057 no later than thirty days from the date of denial.

(J)Upon receipt of a request for a second review, ODJFS will review the JFS 01057. The second review will be conducted by the ODJFS administrative/management staff within ODJFS.

(1)If ODJFS' second review approves, the adoptive parent(s) will be issued a one-time payment, according to paragraph (D) of this rule.

(2)If ODJFS' second review denies, ODJFS will notify the adoptive parent(s) of the denial.

(K)In accordance with division (C) of section 5101.193 of the Revised Code, any department, agency, or division of the state, including the department of health, is to provide any document related to the adoption upon request supporting the application for the Ohio adoption grant.

Effective: 8/5/2023

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 08/05/2028

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 07/24/2023

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5101.19, 5101.191, 5101.192, 5101.193, 5101.194

Rule Amplifies: 5101.19, 5101.191, 5101.192, 5101.193, 5101.194