(A)A public children services agency (PCSA), private child placing agency (PCPA), or private noncustodial agency (PNA) shall not deny any person the opportunity to become an adoptive parent on the basis of race, color or national origin (RCNO) of that person, or of the child involved; nor shall the PCSA, PCPA or PNA delay or deny the placement of a child for adoption on the basis of RCNO of the adoptive parent, or of the child involved.

(B)The Multiethnic Placement Act, Oct. 20, 1994, P.L. 103-382, as amended by Section 1808 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Aug. 20, 1996, P.L. 104-188 (MEPA), and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), as they apply to the adoption process, do not supercede the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C. 1901 (11/1987).

(C)A PCSA, PCPA, or PNA shall not routinely consider RCNO as a factor in assessing the needs or best interests of children. In each case, the only consideration shall be the child's individual needs and the ability of the prospective adoptive parent to meet those needs.

(D)Only the most compelling reasons may serve to justify consideration of RCNO as part of a placement decision. Such reasons emerge only in the unique and individual circumstances of each child and each prospective adoptive parent. In those exceptional circumstances when RCNO needs to be taken into account in a placement decision, such consideration shall be narrowly tailored to advance the child's best interests. Even when the facts of a particular case allow consideration related to RCNO, this consideration shall not be the sole determining factor in the placement decision.

(E)A JFS 01689 "Documentation of the Placement Decision-Making Process,", (rev. 7/2012) shall be completed at each matching conference where families are considered as potential matches and prior to the placement selection by the custodial agency, pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-16 of the Administrative Code.

(F)Annually each PCSA, PCPA, and PNA is to review and update their foster care and adoption recruitment plan. The review and update is to be completed in the Ohio statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) by June thirtieth each year.

(F)Each PCSA, PCPA and PNA involved in the placement of children for adoptive purposes or in the recruitment and completion of adoptive homestudies, shall complete the JFS 01668 "MEPA Biennial Comprehensive Self-Assessment Report" (rev. 8/2015).

(G)The following actions by a PCSA, PCPA, or PNA are permitted as it applies to the adoptive placement:

(1)Asking about and honoring any initial or subsequent choices made by prospective adoptive parents regarding what RCNO of child(ren) the prospective adoptive parents will accept.

(2)Honoring the decision of a child over twelve years of age not to consent to an adoption, unless the court finds that the adoption is in the best interest of the child and the child's consent is not required.

(3)Providing information and resources about adopting a child of another RCNO to prospective adoptive parents who request such information and making known to all families that such information and resources are available.

(4)Considering the request of a birth parent(s) to place the child with a relative or non-relative identified by name.

(5)Considering the RCNO of the child as a possible factor in the placement decision when compelling reasons serve to justify that the RCNO needs to be a factor in the placement decision pursuant to paragraph (J) of this rule. Even when the facts of a particular case allow consideration related to the RCNO, this consideration shall not be the sole determining factor in the placement decision.

(6)Promoting cultural awareness, including awareness of cultural and physical needs that may arise in the care of children of different races, ethnicities, and national origins as part of the training which is required of all applicants who seek to become adoptive parents.

(H)The agency is required to document verbal comments, verbatim, or describing in detail any other indication made by a prospective adoptive parent or prospective adoptive family member living in the household or any other person living in the household reflecting a negative perspective regarding the RCNO of a child for whom the prospective adoptive family have expressed an interest in adopting.

(1)The documentation shall indicate whether those comments were made before or after completion of the cultural diversity training that is required for all adoptive applicants.

(2)The documentation shall be included in the prospective adoptive family's homestudy, update, or in an addendum to the homestudy or update prior to consideration of placement or a matching conference. The matching conference committee shall consider the information to determine if it will impact the placement.

(I)The following actions by a PCSA, PCPA, or PNA are prohibited as it applies to the adoption process:

(1)Using the RCNO of a prospective adoptive parent to differentiate between adoptive placements for a child(ren), unless the procedures in paragraphs (J) to (N) of this rule are followed.

(2)Honoring the request of a birth parent(s) to place a child with a prospective adoptive parent(s) of a specific RCNO.

(3)Requiring a prospective adoptive family to prepare or accept a transracial adoption plan.

(4)Using culture or ethnicity as a proxy for RCNO.

(5)Delaying or denying placement of a child based upon any of the following:

(a)The geographical location of the neighborhood of the prospective adoptive family if geography is being used as a proxy for the racial or ethnic composition of the neighborhood.

(b)The demographics of the neighborhood.

(c)The presence or lack of presence of a significant number of people of a particular RCNO in the neighborhood.

(6)Requiring extra scrutiny, additional training, or greater cultural awareness of individuals who are prospective adoptive parents of children of a different RCNO than required of other prospective adoptive parents.

(7)Relying upon general or stereotypical assumptions about the needs of children of a particular RCNO.

(8)Relying upon general or stereotypical assumptions about the ability of prospective adoptive parents of a particular RCNO to care for or nurture the sense of identity of a child of another RCNO.

(9)Steering prospective adoptive parents away from parenting a child of another RCNO. "Steering" is any activity that attempts to discourage prospective adoptive parents from parenting a child of a particular RCNO.

(J)If a medical or psychological evaluation, school record, or other material documented in the file, including statements made by the child to a caseworker, indicate that there may be compelling reasons to consider needs the child may have regarding RCNO in the placement process, the agency shall determine if the child should be referred for an assessment of whether the child has individual needs involving RCNO.

(K)One of the following licensed professionals shall conduct the assessment regarding RCNO:

(1)A licensed child psychiatrist.

(2)A licensed child psychologist.

(3)A licensed independent social worker.

(4)A licensed professional clinical counselor.

(L)The licensed professional conducting the assessment shall not be employed by the PCSA or PCPA making the referral.

(M)At the time of the referral, the PCSA or PCPA shall initiate and subsequently complete the JFS 01688 "Individualized Child Assessment" (rev. 4/2014) using the following procedures:

(1)The caseworker shall complete section I of the JFS 01688 and submit the JFS 01688 and all relevant medical or psychological evaluations, school records, or other material documented in the file to the caseworker's supervisor and the PCSA or PCPA MEPA monitor.

(2)If both the supervisor and the MEPA monitor determine that the documented material contained in the case file indicates there may be compelling reasons to consider the needs the child may have regarding RCNO in the placement process, the child shall be referred within ten days of the signature of the caseworker for an completion date of the individual child assessment as indicated in paragraph (J) of this rule. At the time of the referral, the agency shall forward to the licensed professional the following documents:

(a)The original JFS 01688.

(b)All relevant medical or psychological evaluations, and school records.

(c)All other relevant material documented in the child case file.

(3)The PCSA or PCPA shall request in writing that the licensed professional complete and sign section II of the original JFS 01688 and return it within sixty days to the PCSA or PCPA with a copy of the requested assessment attached.

(4)The licensed professional shall determine whether the child has needs involving RCNO and any other needs of a psychological or behavior nature and, if so to specify what those needs are and how those needs may impact a potential adoptive placement.

(5)A licensed professional shall not complete an assessment pursuant to paragraph (J) of this rule until the PCSA or PCPA has provided the licensed professional with copies of the following:

(a)The JFS 01607 "MEPA Educational Materials." (rev. 1/2009).

(b)The JFS 01611 "Non-discrimination Requirements for Foster Care and Adoptive Placements." (rev. 1/2009).

(c)Rule 5101:2-42-18.1 of the Administrative Code.

(d)Rule 5101:2-48-13 of the Administrative Code.

(e)Rule 5101:2-48-16 of the Administrative Code.

(6)The licensed professional shall sign the JFS 01608 "Licensed Professional's Statement" (rev. 10/2014) acknowledging receipt of the materials required by paragraph (M)(5) of this rule. A copy of the signed JFS 01608 shall be submitted to the PCSA or PCPA.

(7)The PCSA or PCPA shall keep the JFS 01608 and attach a copy to each JFS 01688 the licensed professional completes. The PCSA or PCPA shall submit a copy of the JFS 01608 and JFS 1688, if applicable to ODJFS within ten days after receiving it.

(8)Each completed JFS 01688 shall remain in effect for twelve months from the date of the final decision as documented on the JFS 01688.

(a)If it has been determined that RCNO should be a factor considered in the child's placement, an updated JFS 01688 and assessment shall be completed prior to the twelve month expiration date.

(b)If it has been determined that RCNO should not be a factor considered in the child's placement, an updated JFS 01688 and assessment is not required prior to the twelve month expiration date. In such instance, the PCSA or PCPA may update the JFS 01688 and assessment as deemed necessary.

(9)The following documents shall be presented as part of the placement decision making process at each matching conference in which the child is considered for a match with a prospective adoptive family:

(a)The JFS 01688, if applicable.

(b)The JFS 01690 "Documentation of the Pre-Adoptive Staffing and Updates." (rev. 2/2014.)

(c)All other relevant supporting materials.

(10)Documentation of how RCNO impacted the placement decision shall be documented on the JFS 01689 pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-16 of the Administrative Code.

(11)The PCSA or PCPA shall submit the JFS 01689 to ODJFS within ten days of the matching conference if the PCSA or PCPA determined that RCNO should be a factor considered in the child's placement.

(N)The PCSA or PCPA shall maintain in the child's case file the completed original JFS 01688 and all medical or psychological evaluations, school records or other material documented in the file.

(O)A PCSA, PCPA, or PNA shall not intimidate, threaten, coerce, or in any way discriminate or retaliate against any person who has filed any complaint orally or in writing, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in the investigation of any alleged violation of MEPA and/or Title VI, including:

(1)Any potential or approved adoptive family or foster caregiver.

(2)Any employee of a PCSA, PCPA, or PNA.

(3)Any employee of any other agency with responsibilities regarding the care or placement of a child in the temporary custody or permanent custody of the PCSA or PCPA, such as a guardian ad litem (GAL) or court appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer.

(P)Prohibited retaliatory conduct includes, at a minimum:

(1)A reduction in the size of an adoption subsidy which a family should receive based on the child's individual needs.

(2)Unwarranted poor evaluations of an employee by his or her supervisor.

Effective: 5/1/2022

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 8/1/2022

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 04/12/2022

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5103.03, 3107.031, 5153.166

Rule Amplifies: 5153.16,3107.031

Prior Effective Dates: 09/01/2000, 05/01/2002, 09/01/2003, 02/01/2005, 12/11/2006, 05/15/2009, 03/01/2010, 10/01/2015, 08/01/2017