Effective Date: September 1, 2003.
Most current prior effective date: 2/15/02
(A) When a foster caregiver expresses the
desire to adopt a foster child who has resided with the caregiver for at least
twelve consecutive months prior to the date the foster caregiver
submits the application to adopt to the agency, the PCSA, PCPA or PNA shall
provide the foster caregiver with a JFS 01692, "Ohio Department
of Job and Family Services Application For Adoption of a Foster Child."
A completed JFS 01692, with supporting documentation, shall serve as a shortened
homestudy, replacing the JFS 01673, "Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services assessment for Child Placement".
(B) The PCSA, PCPA, or PNA shall inform the
foster caregiver that consideration will be given to their application provided
that the placement is in the best interest of the child pursuant to rule
5101:2-48-16 of the Administrative Code. A child shall only be placed into an
adoptive home which meets the child's best interest and special needs, based on,
but not limited to, the information contained in the child study inventory,
child's case plan, adoptive family homestudy, and the JFS 01689
"Documentation of the Placement Decision-Making Process." Regardless
of geographic location, the following preferential order shall be given when
considering a child for adoptive placement:
(1) All adult relatives of the child who have expressed an interest in adopting the child and meet all relevant state child protection standards unless the agency determines that the placement is not in the child's best interest.
(2) The child's foster caregiver who has expressed an interest in adopting the child unless the agency determines that the placement is not in the best interest of the child.
(3) Approved adoptive families.
(4) Placing siblings together, unless it is not in the best interest of one or more members of the sibling group.
(C) Upon receipt of a completed JFS 01692,
the PCSA, PCPA, or PNA shall review the application with the foster caregiver. A
PCSA, PCPA, or PNA shall not require the foster caregiver to undergo a BCII
check as a condition of acceptance or approval of the application for adoption
of a foster child; however, the agency shall inform the foster caregiver that a
criminal records check is required before a court may issue a final decree of
adoption of interlocutory order of adoption.
(D) A PCSA, PCPA, or PNA that receives a
completed JFS 01692, "Application To
for Adopt Adoption of a
Foster Child" in the Home Twelve
Months Or More" shall provide the foster caregiver the
following information:
(1) Therequiredrequirement for adoption training as outlined in rule 5101:2-48-09 of the Administrative Code; and
(2) The application process and eligibility requirements of Title IV-E adoption assistance, state adoption maintenance, state special services subsidy, post adoption special services subsidy, and non-recurring adoption expenses.
(E) The PCSA, PCPA or PNA shall
document in the case file that the foster caregiver has fulfilled the required
adoption training as outlined in rule 5101:2-48-09 of the Administrative Code.
(F) The PCSA, PCPA or PNA shall
compile and review the following information to determine the appropriateness of
the foster caregiver for adoptive placement:
(1) JFS 01653, "Medical Statement for Foster Care/Adoptive Applicant and All Household Members";
(2) JFS 01349, "Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Foster Home Homestudy" or the JFS 01673, "Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Assessment for Child Placement (Homestudy)" as applicable;
(3) All JFS 01385, "Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Assessment for Child Placement Update," if applicable;
(4) Foster home record;
(5) BCII and/or FBI criminal record check; and
(6) Case record information documented by the placement worker's visits to the foster home.
(E)(G)
The PCSA, PCPA, or PNA shall process the completed JFS 01692 and follow
the approval or denial procedures found in paragraphs (G) to (I) of rule
5101:2-48-12 of the Administrative Code.
(F)(H)
Upon approval of the foster caregiver for the adoptive placement, the
agency shall follow the adoptive placement procedures as outlined in rule
5101:2-48-16 of the Administrative Code.
Effective: 09/01/2003
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 05/01/2003 and 09/01/2008
Certification
Date 07/08/2003
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3107.032, 5153.16
Rule Amplifies: 3107.031, 3701.032, 5153.16
Prior Effective Dates: 2/15/02