LAW
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Ohio Laws and Rules
(A) The purpose of the Ohio adoption photo listing (OAPL) and the “OAPL Families Waiting to Adopt Book” is to provide effective recruitment tools for prospective adoptive families and children awaiting adoptive placement.
(B) Each public children services agency (PCSA) and private child placing agency (PCPA) shall assign a person to act as an OAPL coordinator. Agencies may choose to assign one coordinator for several agencies.
(C) Each PCSA or PCPA that assumes permanent custody of a child shall, within ninety days of the date of obtaining permanent custody of a child, submit the information required in paragraph (D) of this rule to the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) unless one of the following apply:
(1) The child’s custody is under appeal.
(2) The child is matched with an approved adoptive family.
(3) The agency is in the process of conducting an adoptive homestudy with an identified prospective family who has submitted the JFS 01691 “Application For Child Placement” (rev. 12/2006) or JFS 01692 “Application for Adoption of a Foster Child” (rev. 12/2006). If the homestudy is not approved, the agency shall list the child on the OAPL pursuant to paragraphs (C) and (D) of this rule.
(D) To register a child or amend information previously submitted to ODJFS for the OAPL, a PCSA or PCPA shall submit the following information to the ODJFS:
(1) Two color photographs of the child. The following information shall be placed on the back of the photograph:
(a) Child’s first and last name.
(b) Child’s date of birth.
(c) Name of agency.
(d) Name of OAPL coordinator.
(2) An electronic file containing a narrative description of the child which includes information on the child’s personality, pertinent characteristics and special challenges.
(3) A paper copy of the narrative that is contained on the electronic file.
(4) The JFS 01686 “OAPL Child Registration/Amendment” (rev. 05/2007). Copies of the JFS 01686, (used to register, modify and/or withdraw OAPL registration material) shall be maintained in the child’s record.
(E) When registering children with OAPL, the PCSA or PCPA shall identify siblings who are to be placed together.
(F) For each child listed, a PCSA or PCPA shall submit a new narrative description and photo of the child at least every twelve months until the child is matched with an adoptive family. This information may be submitted as an electronic file or paper copy.
(G) The PCSA or PCPA shall withdraw the child from the OAPL by submitting a JFS 01686. A child shall be withdrawn for any of the following reasons:
(1) Child’s permanent custody is terminated, or the child’s case plan goal is no longer adoption.
(2) Child is committed to the Ohio department of youth services.
(3) Child is matched with an approved adoptive home; or family.
(4) The agency receives a JFS 01691 or JFS 01692 from a child’s foster caregiver or relative who the agency feels will be appropriate for the child’s placement.
(H) The PCSA or PCPA may withdraw a child from the OAPL if the permanent custody of the child becomes under appeal. The agency shall make this decision based on the best interest of the child.
(I) Each family who has been approved for adoptive placement by a PCSA, PCPA or private noncustodial agency (PNA) shall be listed with the “OAPL Families Waiting to Adopt Book” within ninety days of the adoptive family’s approval for placement, unless the approved adoptive family has signed the JFS 01614 “Ohio Adoption Photo Listing Family Registration Waiver” (rev. 07/2001). A copy of the signed JFS 01614 shall be retained by the agency in the family record.
(J) To register a family with the “OAPL Families Waiting to Adopt Book”, a PCSA, PCPA or PNA shall submit the following information to ODJFS:
(1) A photograph of the family. The following information shall be placed on the back of the photograph:
(a) Family’s first and last names.
(b) Name of agency.
(c) Name of OAPL coordinator.
(2) An electronic file containing a narrative description of the family which includes information on the family’s strengths and the characteristics of children whom the family is interested in adopting.
(3) A paper copy of the narrative that is contained on the electronic file.
(4) The JFS 01687 “OAPL Family Registration/Amendment” (rev. 5/2007).
(K) An approved adoptive family shall be listed with the “OAPL Families Waiting to Adopt Book” by only one agency.
(L) The agency shall withdraw the family from the “OAPL Families Waiting to Adopt Book” by submitting the JFS 01687 to ODJFS if the family receives an adoptive placement or requests to be withdrawn and signs a waiver.
Effective: 08/14/2008
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 05/30/2008 and 08/01/2013
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5101.24, 5103.03
Rule Amplifies: 5101.24, 5103.03
Prior Effective Dates: 5/17/81, 5/1/87 (Emer.), 7/1/87, 09/01/94, 2/13/98 (Emer.), 05/14/98, 9/1/03