Rule 5180:2-9-19 | Personal belongings, hygiene, socialization, religious practice and education.
(A) What is a residential facility to allow in terms of a child's personal belongings?
A residential facility is to allow children in care to:
(1) Acquire personal belongings.
(2) Bring personal belongings with them.
(3) Decorate bedrooms consistent with the limitations established by the residential facility that consider:
(a) The developmental stage of the child.
(b) The child's social, racial, cultural, religious, or ethnic background.
(B) Can the facility supervise or restrict items brought by children?
While children may have personal items, nothing in this rule is to be interpreted as preventing a residential facility from:
(1) Supervising the use of a child's personal property.
(2) Confiscating any items which:
(a) Pose a clear health or safety risk.
(b) Interfere with the rights or privileges of others.
(c) Are illegal to possess as a matter of state law or local ordinance.
(C) What if a child's belongings need to be searched?
An agency is to ensure the child is present during a search of the child's personal belongings, unless there is a clear imminent health or safety risk. Searches are to be conducted only when there is reasonable suspicion of contraband or other safety concerns that could pose a risk to the child, other residents and staff in the facility.
(D) What kind of clothing and footwear is to be provided by the residential facility?
(1) A residential facility is to provide each child, in cooperation with the individual or agency holding custody of the child, with clothing and footwear which is clean, well-fitting, and seasonal.
(2) Clothing provided by a residential facility is to be appropriate to the child's age and is to consider personal preferences.
(3) Clothing provided to a child is to be considered to be a child's personal property.
(E) Is the residential facility to provide hygiene products?
A residential facility is to provide each child with adequate personal toiletry supplies. These supplies are to be appropriate to the child's age, developmental needs, and personal preferences, and are to be considered to be the child's personal property.
(F) Is the residential facility to provide hygiene instruction?
A residential facility is to provide instruction on good habits of personal care, hygiene, and grooming. This instruction must be tailored to each child's age, developmental level, and individual needs, with consideration for personal preferences and background.
(G) What type of chores or work tasks can the residential facility assign a child?
(1) A residential facility may assign a child daily tasks and work assignments on the grounds of or within the facility. Such assignments are to be of the type normally performed by a child and are to not be beyond the child's developmental ability to perform.
(2) Daily tasks and work assignments made pursuant to paragraph (G)(1) of this rule are not to place the child in physical danger and are not to interfere with the child's studies, normal social development, or child care responsibilities of a teenage mother.
(3) A residential facility is not to permit a child to be taken to the private residence of any staff member for the purpose of work, respite, or any form of "time away." All interactions between staff and children will occur within the bounds of the facility or in approved community settings consistent with the child's service plan and supervision requirements.
(4) A residential facility is not to assign a child to perform tasks that are ordinarily compensated for when performed by staff. Under no circumstances will youth be required or expected to perform duties that substitute for paid staff responsibilities. If a child voluntarily performs such a task, the facility is to ensure the child receives appropriate monetary compensation.
(H) How is education handled for children in care?
A residential facility is to make arrangements with the person or agency placing a child for each school-age child to attend a school that complies with the minimum standards as prescribed by the department of education and workforce (DOEW) and is to ensure that the child attends school in accordance with the child care agreement.
(I) Is a child permitted to attend extracurricular and cultural activities?
In accordance with the child's service plan, a residential facility is to encourage a child to participate in community, school, recreational, and cultural heritage activities which are appropriate to the child's age and functioning level and is to, as is necessary and reasonable, arrange appropriate transportation for the child to and from such activities.
(J) How are decisions made about a child's participation in extracurricular and social activities?
In accordance with sections 5103.162 and 2151.315 of the Revised Code, child care staff are to use the reasonable and prudent parent standard when considering whether to authorize a child who resides in the residential facility to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities. Decisions should prioritize:
(1) The child's safety.
(2) The child's developmental needs.
(3) The child's right to normalcy (such as participating in sleepovers, sports, clubs, etc) in ways that align with the child's peers.
(K) What are the obligations of a residential care facility in relation to religious practices of a child?
(1) A residential facility is to permit a child to practice the chosen religious faith of the child or his or her parent(s), guardian or legal custodian and is not to subject a child to any form of religious coercion.
(2) A child is not to be baptized or submitted to any religious procedures without prior consent of the child, according to their age and functioning level, and prior approval of the child's parent, guardian or custodian.
(L) Are life skills to be taught in the facility?
A residential facility is to, as appropriate, teach a child tasks and skills essential for life in the community.
Last updated August 13, 2026 at 8:26 AM
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