Ohio's Foster Care Checklist
To ensure compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, districts and custodial agencies must complete these steps each time a child is placed into foster care or changes foster care placement. Access Ohio's Foster Care Checklist for a printer friendly version.
☐ The custodial agency will notify the child’s school and district within ninety-six hours when a student is placed into foster care or has a change in their living arrangements. The custodial agency also will inform the school and district if placement could result in a change to the student’s school.
☐ The school will immediately update the child’s foster care status in the student database. Students placed in foster homes must be reported in EMIS by all districts involved.
If the location of the foster care placement could result in a change to the student’s school:
☐ The student will remain in their school of origin until the district and custodial agency make a best interest determination.
☐ The custodial agency and school will make a best interest determination decision within five days of the student’s foster care placement, except in emergency removal situations.
☐ The district and custodial agency will complete a Best Interest Determination Form to document the decision and next steps.
If the district and custodial agency determine the child should stay in his or her school of origin:
☐ The district and custodial agency will develop and implement a plan to provide, arrange and fund transportation following a best interest determination.
☐ Interim transportation is arranged by the district and custodial agency until permanent transportation plans are in place.
If the district and custodial agency determine the child should change schools:
☐ The student will immediately be enrolled in the new school by the custodian. The new school will request the student’s records within twenty-four hours from the school of origin.
☐ The school of origin will send the student’s records within one school day as best practice.
☐ The custodial agency will provide the new school with as much information as possible about the student (such as age, grade and academic history) to ensure appropriate support and placement until the school receives relevant records from the school of origin.
☐ The student’s grade-level placement can be determined through screening and assessments until relevant records are available.
☐ The new school will provide the student credit for coursework completed while attending prior schools.
Last Modified: 8/10/2023 1:43:01 PM