(a) Notification of respite placement.  The therapeutic foster care (TFC) contractor notifies the Child Welfare (CW) county of jurisdiction and county of placement workers, area resource coordinators (ARCs) involved in the placement, and the contract liaison of all placement changes, including all types of respite, for each child in TFC placement. • 1

(b) Respite care.  Respite care is a planned reprieve for the TFC parent with whom a child is placed and includes a defined time frame for the length of stay and an identified date for the child's return to the TFC parent with whom the child is placed.

• (1) Respite location.  Respite care is provided in the home of a TFC parent, certified and trained by the TFC contractor.  Respite care does not occur in emergency shelters.
• (2) Planned respite.  Planned respite is a planned reprieve for the TFC parent with whom a child is placed.
• (3) Unplanned respite.  Unplanned respite is an unplanned or crisis reprieve, not to exceed three working days, for the TFC parent with whom the child is placed.
  • (A) The TFC contractor submits a written request for an extension of time, if needed, to the CW county of placement supervisor.
  • (B) A copy of the county approved respite extension is sent by the TFC contractor to the CW county of jurisdiction supervisor, when different from the county of placement, and Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) programs manager for TFC for information purposes.
• (4) Transitional respite.  Transitional respite is a stabilization and assessment period, not to exceed five working days, utilized following a TFC home placement disruption, that allows the TFC contractor and CW county of jurisdiction worker time to develop an appropriate plan for the child's next placement.
  • (A) The TFC contractor submits a written request for an extension of time to the CW county of jurisdiction supervisors for approval.
  • (B) A copy of the approved extension is maintained in the child's case and sent to the CFSD programs manager for TFC for information purposes.  • 1

(c) TFC contractor.  The TFC contractor:

• (1) ensures the respite TFC parent is informed of the child's current treatment issues, behavioral, medical, and physical needs;
• (2) supervises the respite TFC parent in the implementation of the in‑home treatment strategies identified in the TFC contractor's individualized treatment plan for the child; and
• (3) provides behavior redirection and crisis management services to prevent disruption of TFC placements, per OAC 340:75-8-7.  • 1

(d) TFC parent.  The TFC parent provides 14 days notice to the TFC contractor when requesting a child's removal from the TFC home, unless the removal is required to protect the health or safety of the child or TFC family member.