health-and-safety-emergency-preparedness-and-response-planning

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency standard for emergency preparedness and response planning does not include procedures for relocation for licensed centers, licensed family child care homes, license-exempt centers, license-exempt family child care homes, or out-of- school providers, as required by 98.41(a)(1)(vii). (Plan Question 5.3.7ii) • The Lead Agency does not require an annual unannounced inspection for licensed centers or licensed family child care providers or an annual inspection for license- exempt centers or license-exempt family child care providers for compliance with a standard for emergency preparedness and response planning, as required by 98.42(b)(2)(i)(B) and 98.42(b)(2)(ii). (Plan Questions 5.5.1aii, 5.5.1bii, 5.5.2ai, and 5.5.2bi) Overall Target Completion Date: 10/30/2025 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) will make the following adjustment to the emergency response and preparedness plan for all programs: 1. Have a plan for the evacuation needs of vulnerable children in the event of an emergency that includes relocation. Child care centers, FCC home providers, approved day camps and certified IHA providers will now be required to include a designated safe site where staff and children can safely remain when evacuated. This will be included in the written emergency/disaster plan in addition to evacuation and relocation procedures for children and staff. A procedure letter addressing this item was issued in early 2024 and programs began to be assessed on this new requirement in March of 2024. 03/01/2024 2 Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) will be updated to include the following: 1. Programs will be required to include information on assisting toddlers in their written emergency/disaster plans in addition to accommodations for infants and children with special needs and/or health conditions. 10/01/2025 3 DCY will file for an amendment of the current CCDF State Plan to reflect the changes once they are made. 10/30/2025