5101:2-7-12 Site and safety requirements for a foster home.

Effective Date: January 1, 2003.

Most current prior effective date: July 1, 2000.

(A)      A family foster home and all structures associated with the home shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition and in a reasonable state of repair.


(B)      Outdoor recreation equipment on the grounds of a family foster home shall be maintained in a safe state of repair.


(C)      Outdoor areas on the grounds of or immediately adjacent to a family foster home which are potentially hazardous to a foster child placed in the home shall be reasonably safeguarded, considering the age and functioning level of the foster child. Such areas include, but are not limited to:

(1)      Water areas, including lakes, ponds, rivers, quarries and swimming pools;


(2)      Open pits and wells;


(3)      Cliffs and caves;


(4)      High-speed or heavily traveled roads.

(D)      A family foster home shall be adequately heated, lighted and ventilated.


(E)      Bleach, cleaning materials, other poisonous or corrosive household chemicals, flammable and combustible materials, potentially dangerous tools or utensils, and electrical equipment or machinery in or on the grounds of a family foster home shall be stored in a safe manner.


(F)      Any firearm, air rifle, hunting slingshot or other projectile weapon kept on the grounds of or in a family foster home shall be stored in an inoperative condition in a locked area inaccessible to children. All ammunition, arrows or projectiles for such weapons shall be stored in a separate locked space. Any foster caregiver who is also a law enforcement official and can document that their jurisdiction requires them to have ready and immediate access to their weapon shall be exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.


(G)      A family foster home shall have a working telephone or be able to demonstrate to the recommending agency reasonable access to a working telephone for emergency situations.


(H)      Appropriate emergency telephone numbers including fire, police, ambulance, poison control, the recommending agency, and each agency with a foster child placed in the home shall be posted in a prominent place in a family foster home.


(I)      All locking doors to any room or storage area inside a family foster home in which a person could become confined, and from which the only other means of exit requires the use of a key, shall be able to be unlocked from either side. Locking of the children's bedroom doors while children are sleeping is prohibited. Locking of outside doors is permitted. Fencing around a yard or outside play area is permitted.


(J)      A family foster home shall have a continuous supply of safe drinking water. Well water used for drinking and cooking shall be tested and approved by the health department prior to initial certification and annually.


(K)      A family foster home shall have working bathroom and toilet facilities located within the home and connected to an indoor plumbing system.


(L)      Garbage shall be disposed of on a regular basis. Garbage stored outside shall be in covered containers or closed bags.


(M)      A family foster home shall have a working smoke alarm approved by "Underwriter's Laboratory" on each level of occupancy of the home.


(N)      A foster caregiver shall have a written evacuation plan for evacuating the home or seeking shelter in the event of fire, tornado or other disaster. This evacuation plan shall contain a primary and alternate escape route for each floor. A foster caregiver shall provide initial orientation and ongoing instruction on the contents of this plan to each foster child in accordance with the foster child's age and functioning level.


(O)      All escape routes shall be kept free of clutter and other obstructions.


(P)      Household heating equipment used in a family foster home shall be equipped with appropriate safeguards in accordance with the age and functioning level of any foster child in the home.


(Q)      Unvented kerosene heaters may be used, if the heater has been approved by "Underwriter's Laboratory", and they are not prohibited by any local zoning ordinances.


(R)      A family foster home shall have an "Underwriter's Laboratory" approved portable fire extinguisher in working order in or near the cooking area of the home.


(S)      Pets or domestic animals in or on the premises of a family foster home shall be kept in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with state and local laws.


(T)      A foster child shall be protected from animals potentially dangerous to his health and safety in or on the premises of a family foster home.


(U)      Interior and exterior stairways accessible to children shall be protected by child safety gates or doors according to the child's age and functioning level.

Effective Date: 1/1/03

Review Date: 7/1/2005

Certification: Thomas J. Hayes

Date 10/31/02

Promulgated Under: Revised Code Chapter 119.

Statutory Authority: Revised Code Sections 5103.03.

Rule Amplifies: Revised Code Sections 5103.02, 5103.03.

Prior Effective Dates: 12/30/66, 10/1/86, 1/1/91, 9/18/96, 7/1/00.

FCASMTL 130