Ohio Administrative Code
Title 5101:2 - Division of Social Services
Chapter 5101:2-5 - Child Services Agency Licensing Rules
Section 5101:2-5-37 - Additional requirements for an agency that acts as a representative of ODJFS in recommending medically fragile foster homes for certification

(A) The recommending agency shall not allow a medically fragile child to be placed in a foster home unless the foster caregiver(s) has been certified to operate a medically fragile foster home pursuant to this rule and rule 5101:2-7-17 of the Administrative Code. The recommending agency shall document in the homestudy of the caregiver's file how a foster caregiver for medically fragile children meets the requirements in paragraph (A) of rule 5101:2-7-16 of the Administrative Code.

(B) The recommending agency shall assign a treatment team to each medically fragile child placed in a medically fragile foster home. A licensed physician, licensed nurse practitioner or a registered nurse shall supervise the medical aspects of the child's service plan.

(C) A service plan shall be developed by the treatment team in accordance with the following requirements:

(D) The service plan for a medically fragile child placed in a medically fragile foster home shall include:

(E) If the service plan developed by the treatment team recommends any special needs for the child that would conflict with any rule in Chapter 5101:2-7 of the Administrative Code, the service plan shall be followed.

(F) The recommending agency shall develop an individual plan for respite care for each medically fragile child placed in a medically fragile foster home. The use of respite care shall comply with the agency's respite care policy prepared pursuant to rule 5101:2-5-13 of the Administrative Code. A copy of the individual plan for respite care for each medically fragile child placed in a medically fragile foster home shall be included in the child's case record.

(G) The agency shall ensure that a member of the agency's professional staff shall be on-call for foster caregivers for medically fragile children and each medically fragile child placed in a medically fragile foster home on a twenty-four hour, seven day a week basis.

(H) The agency shall ensure that foster caregivers for medically fragile children are provided with a manual containing all policies, procedures and other information related to the program not later than the date the individual becomes certified as a foster caregiver for medically fragile children. The agency shall provide foster caregivers for medically fragile children copies of any revisions to the manual within thirty days of the revision.

(I) The agency shall coordinate with the agency holding custody of a medically fragile child or the child's parent or guardian for the provision of all rehabilitative services and other necessary interventions contained in the child's service plan and any revisions thereto. The agency shall also implement those aspects of the child's service plan that are its responsibility.

(J) The agency shall ensure that a discharge summary is prepared pursuant to rule 5101:2-5-17 of the Administrative Code for each child discharged from a medically fragile foster home. This paragraph does not apply to a child who is receiving respite services other than as a direct placement.

(K) The recommending agency shall ensure the caregiver is provided written step-by-step instructions for each skilled procedure required to be performed for each medically fragile child placed in the home. Documentation of the receipt of this information shall be maintained in the caregiver's record and in the child's record.

(L) At the following times the agency shall disclose to the foster caregiver for medically fragile children all information available to the agency about the child and his family pursuant to rule 5101:2-42-90 of the Administrative Code:

(M) The agency shall ensure that all professional treatment staff required to be licensed shall be appropriately licensed. Professional treatment staff shall demonstrate to the employing or contracting agency that the training required for professional licensure shall be in topics appropriate to medically fragile foster care. Documentation of the training topics shall be maintained in the child's record.

(N) All professional treatment staff shall be appropriately licensed and shall annually complete at least fifteen hours of training in specific issues addressing the needs of medically fragile children and the mission of the agency.

(O) The agency shall ensure that all professional treatment staff are provided with a manual of all policies and procedures relevant to the program at the beginning of their employment with the agency.

(P) The agency shall not prohibit foster caregivers for medically fragile children from participation in any formal or informal support groups organized for the purpose of supporting foster caregivers.

(Q) The recommending agency shall ensure a certified foster caregiver for medically fragile children complies with the following occupancy limits:

(R) The agency shall ensure that professional treatment staff shall have consultation at least every two weeks and at least monthly face-to-face contact with the foster caregiver for medically fragile children or at least one member of a foster caregiver for medically fragile children couple or co-parents serving an intensive needs child. At least one of the face-to-face contacts every two months shall take place in the medically fragile foster home.

(S) The agency shall ensure that professional treatment staff shall have face-to-face meetings with each intensive needs child placed in a medically fragile foster home at least every two weeks. At least one of the face-to-face meetings each month shall take place in the medically fragile foster home.

(T) For each medically fragile child placed in a medically fragile foster home, the agency shall assure that the foster caregivers for medically fragile children keep a written record of the child's emotional response to treatment and progress towards achieving the treatment goals identified in the child's service plan.

(U) The agency shall assure that foster caregivers for medically fragile children are aware of the potential side effects of any prescribed medication for children placed in their home.

(V) If a child with special or exceptional needs is placed in a medically fragile foster home, the provisions of rule 5101:2-5-36 of the Administrative Code shall apply for that child.