INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-6-85.3

1.  (a) Examples of when sibling separation may be in the children's best interest are:

• (1) when one or more of the siblings physically or emotionally endangers the health and well-being of the other siblings;
• (2) when adoption is the case plan goal and a sibling of the age to consent to adoption does not wish to be adopted;
• (3) when children are placed among relatives and a plan for continued contact is in place;
• (4) when a licensed mental health professional has determined that movement of the child from the current caregiver would be detrimental to the child's emotional health, development, and well-being; and
• (5) when all efforts to place the children together have been exhausted.
• (b) If the case plan goal is adoption, the CW worker assesses the following prior to initiating a request for the separation of siblings  [OAC 340:75-15-43]:
  • (1) the length of time the children have been separated.  
  • (2) the efforts that were made to place the children together;
  • (3) if the siblings were placed together while in out-of-home placement, the factor(s) that led to the disruption of the placement;
  • (4) the day to day behavior of the children at home, in school, and at other public gatherings;
  • (5) the type and frequency of contact between the children;
  • (6) whether the children have been in counseling together or separately;
  • (7) the recommendations of any counselor(s) or therapist(s) involved with the children; and
  • (8) whether the children desire to be placed together.
• (c) Examples of inappropriate reasons for the separation of siblings are as follows:
  • (1) the children have been separated in out-of-home placement and no efforts have been made to place them together;
  • (2) an infant is not placed with older siblings and is determined to not have a relationship with these siblings; and
  • (3) siblings have been in separate placements and no efforts have been made to facilitate contact; therefore, the children do not know one another.

2.  During sibling separation, the CW worker ensures that contact between the siblings is maintained through frequent visits, phone calls, and letters.  The CW worker enlists the current providers in the facilitation of this contact.  The CW worker inquires during each required monthly visit regarding the type and amount of any additional sibling contact that has been facilitated by the provider during the previous month.  This information is documented in KIDS in the Contact screen.  If no sibling contact has been held in the previous month, the CW worker facilitates either a sibling visit, phone call, or letter within two weeks.  

3.  If siblings are placed separately and there are no documented reasons for separation, the CW worker informs the current providers during the required monthly visit that ongoing efforts are being made to place the siblings together, and that the move will be implemented at the first available opportunity.  The CW worker advises the current providers that their homes may not be considered as a permanent placement, if applicable, based on the siblings' separation.  Note:  This does not negate the foster parents' right to object to the movement or the five day notice, if applicable.  

4.  Examples of ongoing efforts are:

• (1) exploration of relatives who are appropriate and capable of providing placement for the sibling group  [OAC 340:75-6-85.2];
• (2) informing county foster care specialist/county of placement worker of need for a placement for the sibling group; and
• (3) utilizing the current providers by asking them to inform the CW worker or foster care specialist when an opening occurs if they are interested in the placement of the other sibling(s).