(A) The PCSA is to determine eligibility
and coordinate with the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) to
complete all procedures related to the administration of the state kinship
guardianship assistance program. The PCSA is to:
(1)Determine the child's eligibility status
within thirty days of a request by the kinship caregiver to apply for state
kinship guardianship assistance payments. The PCSA will determine eligibility
using the criteria outlined in rule 5101:2-56-02 of the Administrative Code.
(2)Provide the JFS 00128 "Application
for State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Payments" to any kinship
caregiver(s) upon request.
(B)The PCSA is to inform ODJFS that the
applicant(s) are eligible for state KGAP.
(C)ODJFS will complete the negotiation
process with the kinship caregiver(s) including the completion of the JFS 00129
"State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Agreement." A
completed agreement will name a successor guardian. The successor guardian
cannot be the parent in accordance with section 42 U.S.C. 673(d)(3)(C)
effective September 29, 2014. Once the JFS 00129 is completed, ODJFS is to sign
the form, obtain the signature of the kinship caregiver(s) and send the
documents to the PCSA director or designee for signatures.
(D)ODJFS is to obtain the signature(s) of
the kinship caregiver(s) and the PCSA director or designee pursuant to section
5153.163 of the Revised Code prior to the court issuing an order granting legal
custody or guardianship to the kinship caregiver(s).
(E)The PCSA is to ensure the JFS 00129 has
been completed with all needed signatures prior to the court issuing a final
order granting legal custody or guardianship to the applicant.
(F)The PCSA is to establish and maintain
policy and procedures governing its state kinship guardianship assistance
program eligibility process in accordance with section 5153.163 of the Revised
Code and Chapter 5101:2-56 of the Administrative Code.
(G)The PCSA is to document, in the PCSA's
policy, a description of the opportunity for a state hearing pursuant to
section 5101.35 of the Revised Code and Chapter 5101:6 of the Administrative
Code.
(H) The PCSA is to file a motion for legal
custody or guardianship to be granted to the kinship caregiver(s) named in the
approved application once the agreement date is entered into Ohio statewide
automated child welfare information system (SACWIS).
(I)The PCSA is to ensure legal status
change entry into Ohio SACWIS within ten days from the receipt of the
journalized court order granting the kinship caregiver(s) legal custody or
guardianship.
(J)The PCSA is to provide a copy of the
court order to ODJFS.
(K)Upon the kinship caregiver(s) being
granted legal custody or guardianship, they are to apply for Ohio works first
(OWF) cash assistance within thirty days of the court date in which the kinship
caregiver(s) are granted legal custody or guardianship. The kinship
caregiver(s) may also apply for medicaid. If the kinship caregiver(s) do not
apply for OWF cash assistance within sixty days of the court date, the
agreement may be terminated. The following applies to kinship caregivers who
reside out of state:
(1)The kinship caregiver is to apply for
cash assistance or the equivalent of OWF in the state where they reside within
thirty days of the court date in which the kinship caregiver(s) are granted
legal custody or guardianship.
(2) If the kinship caregiver(s) do not
apply for cash assistance within sixty days of the court date, the agreement
may be terminated.
(3)ODJFS will continue to be responsible
for the case management of the state KGAP case.
(L)ODJFS is to approve state KGAP funding
for eligible caregiver(s) as long as state funds are available. In the event
state funding is no longer available, the state KGAP program will close to new
applications until July first of the following state fiscal year (SFY). Once
state funds have been exhausted, neither ODJFS nor the PCSA may be held
responsible for payment.
Effective: 1/1/2023
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 01/01/2028
Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY
Date: 10/11/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5153.163, 5101.1417
Rule Amplifies: 5153.163, 5153.16