Extended Foster Care in Ohio

General Eligibility

The director of job and family services shall, no later than June 13, 2017, submit an amendment to the state Title IV-E plan to extend foster care payments until age 21. Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.1411(A)(1), (C).

Extended care payments will be available for any child was in the custody of a public children services agency at age 18 who signs a voluntary participation agreement, and is: (1) completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential; (2) enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or vocational education; (3) participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment; (4) employed for at least eighty hours per month; or (5) incapable of doing any of activities (1) – (4) due to a medical condition. Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.1411(A)(1), (C).

Voluntary Care Agreement Requirement

Yes. Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.1411(A)(1).

Case Management Requirements

The RFP for service provision and case management for the extended foster care program, Bridges, can be found at: https://procure.ohio.gov/PDF/614201781633JFSR1819068132%20DT.pdf.

Direct Payment to Youth

Payments may be made directly to the youth. Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.1411(D).

Eligibility & Procedure

Once the plan is amended, any person who meets the requirements for extended foster care “may apply for foster care payments and make the appropriate application at any time.” § 5101.1411(A)(2).

Any parent who is eligible for extended adoption assistance payment “may request an extension of adoption assistance payments at any time before the adopted person reaches age twenty-one. Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.1411(B)(2).

Court Oversight of Extended Care

Court shall retain jurisdiction of any youth in extended care as per Section 5101.1411(A)(1) of the Revised Code. The court shall also retain jurisdiction over youth with a developmental disability or physical impairment until age 21. § 2151.353(F)(1).

Eligibility for Extended Adoption Assistance

The director of job and family services shall, no later than June 13, 2017, submit an amendment to the state Title IV-E plan to extend adoption assistance payments until age 21 for a child who was adopted out of the agency’s custody at age 16 or 17 to “a parent who maintains parental responsibility to that adopted person.” Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.1411(B)(1).

The youth must also meet criteria (1) – (5), above. § 5101.1411(C). Adoption assistance currently extends to age 21 for youth who are mentally or physically disabled. OHIO DEP’T OF JOB & FAMILY SERVS., FAMILY, CHILDREN, & ADULT SERVS. MANUAL § 5101:2-44-11 (2014)/

Eligibility for Extended Guardianship Assistance

Ohio does not offer guardianship assistance for youth of any age.