As part of the next step in the rule filing process, the draft foster parent training rule changes that were posted to Clearance and submitted to the Common Sense Initiative Office (CSIO) have now been Original Filed with the Register of Ohio. This provides another opportunity for you to provide public comment on the rules.
OAC 5101:2-5-33: Foster Caregiver Preplacement and Continuing Training provides guidance on the training requirements of a foster caregiver. Changes in this rule would:
Lower the pre-service training hour requirement to 24 hours.
Lower the ongoing family foster parent training requirement to 30 hours
Lower the ongoing treatment foster parent training requirement to 45 hours.
Continue to mandate 18 pre-service training topics, although they have been altered.
Beginning in 2023, mandate 11 training topics in the first certification period, which is called “Resource Readiness”.
Allow for 100% of training to be completed via live-synchronous training.
Allow for training outside of the classroom to count as one-half of all required continuing training hours.
OAC 5101:2-5-38: Payment of foster caregiver training stipends; reimbursement of training allowances to recommending agencies
provides guidance to agencies on agency payment and reimbursement for foster caregiver stipends and training allowances. Changes in this rule would:
Lower the reimbursement of pre-service training to 24 hours.
Lower the reimbursement of ongoing family foster parent training to 30 hours
Lower the reimbursement of ongoing treatment foster parent training to 45 hours.
Increase training stipends to $15 for families and reimbursement for agencies to $20.
*Please note that the private agency is solely responsible for foster caregiver stipend payments that exceed the amount reimbursable to the recommending agency, per OAC 5101:2-5-38.*
In addition, OAC 5101:2-5-28: Agency Cause for Denial of Initial Certification, Denial or Recertification or Revocation of a Foster Home Certificate, which provides guides to agencies on the process for recommending denial or revocation of a foster home, was updated for clarity.
You can find more information, including the public notice, draft rule language, completed Business Impact Analysis, and more, by searching each rule number here.
A public hearing on the proposed rule will be held on September 29 at 10 am via teleconference. If you would like to submit oral testimony, please call in at the above date and time to 1-614-721-2972. Then enter the meeting I.D. which is 671 534 913#.
Written testimony may also be submitted electronically to rules@jfs.ohio.gov. Written comments submitted no later than the date of the public hearing will be treated as testimony.