Rule 5180:2-9-02 | Staffing requirements.
(A) What is the required staffing ratio in residential facilities?
There is to be at least one child care staff person for every ten children in each residential facility living unit, except for the following.
(1) There is to be at least one child care staff person for every seven children during waking hours in a group home for children. Waking hours are defined in the group home's staffing plan as required by paragraph (L) of this rule. A child cannot be removed from placement to meet the child care staff-to-child ratio.
(2) At least one child care staff person for every five infants or toddlers are to be present in a residential parenting facility to provide care and supervision to children in the absence of the child's mother.
(B) Are child care staff to be present when two or more children are congregated?
Child care staff are to be on duty providing supervision to ensure an appropriate level of supervision in all areas, considering the ages and functioning levels of the children.
(C) How close should staff supervision be to children?
(1) Child care staff are to supervise children within sight or sound of the child or pursuant to the level of supervision specified in the child's service plan,
(2) A child may be left alone or unsupervised only in accordance with the service plan of the child. Even when a service plan permits independent supervision, a child may not be left alone inside the facility without staff present in the building.
(D) Can a teenage mother care for another child in the facility?
A residential parenting facility is not to permit a teenage mother to provide care or supervision to any child other than her own in the absence of the child's mother or child care staff.
(E) What is the overnight child care staff requirement in Children's residential centers (CRC) or residential parenting facilities?
A CRC or residential parenting facility is to have at least one awake child care staff person in each living unit where children are present during nighttime sleeping hours.
(F) Are overnight guest permitted in residential facilities?
Staff members at a residential facility are not to have overnight guests in the facility, except for the children of live-in staff members, who have resided in the home and are under the age of twenty-two.
(G) Are background checks needed for adults living in the residential facility?
In accordance with rule 5180:2-5-09.1 of the Administrative Code, a criminal records check and background check is to be requested for each person eighteen years of age or older that resides with the staff members in a residential facility.
(H) What medical documentation is to be completed for adults residing with staff in a facility?
A DCY 01653 "Medical Statement for Foster Care/Adoptive Applicant and All Household Members" is to be completed for each person eighteen years of age or older that resides with the staff members in a residential facility.
(I) What children are included in staff to child ratios?
All children as defined in rule 5180:2-1-01 of the Administrative Code including, children placed, children of staff members and children of residents living in a residential facility are to be counted in all child care staff ratios.
(J) What is the requirement for a residential facility regarding the designation of staff members who are to carry out the reasonable and prudent parent standard responsibilities?
A residential facility is to have at least one child care staff on site who is:
(1) Designated to make decisions involving the participation of a child in age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities: and
(2) Designated to be the caregiver authorized to apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard.
(K) What are the minimum qualifications for the designated child care staff member outlined in (J) of this rule?
The designated staff member would be trained in the reasonable and prudent parent standard as described in division (C) of section 5103.162 of the Revised Code.
(L) What planning documents are a residential facility to maintain regarding staffing?
Each residential facility is to have:
(1) Staffing plan for waking and sleeping hours.
(2) A written work schedule, including provisions for the use of relief staff.
(3) A backup plan for emergency relief staffing coverage.
(M) What are the requirements for relief and emergency child care staff?
All relief child care staff and emergency child care staff of a residential facility are to meet the requirements of rules 5180:2-5-09, 5180:2-5-09.1 and 5180:2-9-03 of the Administrative Code.
(N) When are newly hired child care staff allowed to supervise residents alone?
Newly hired child care staff are to be given on-the-job supervision and will not be left unsupervised with residents until all of the following requirements have been met:
(1) The person has completed the initial orientation required by rule 5180:2-9-03 of the Administrative Code;
(2) The person possesses a current American red cross, American heart association or equivalent first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. The CPR certification is to be the type applicable to the age and size of the children able to be served in the facility.
Last updated October 15, 2026 at 12:00 AM
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