On the run would be the best description of foster parents.  Running to Doctor appointments, therapists and visits with the biological parents.  Let’s take a moment and look at what the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has to say about Transportation.

(A)       Any vehicle owned or leased by a foster caregiver and used to transport a foster child shall be maintained in a safe condition and in compliance with all motor vehicle laws. Such vehicles shall be covered by liability insurance in accordance with current state laws.

(B)       A foster caregiver shall ensure that any person transporting a foster child in a motor vehicle shall be licensed to drive that class of vehicle and that such vehicle is maintained in a safe condition according to state laws.

(C)       A foster caregiver shall ensure that a foster child transported in a motor vehicle shall at all times be restrained by a seat belt including both a lap belt and a shoulder belt in vehicles that are so equipped.

(D)       If the foster child is less than four years old or forty pounds in weight, a child restraint seat secured by a seat belt or the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system shall be used. The child restraint seat shall be placed in the back seat of any motor vehicle that has a back seat.

(1)(2)   An infant less than one year of age or twenty pounds in weight shall be restrained only in a rear-facing position and whenever possible shall not be placed in the front seat of a motor vehicle equipped with passenger air bags.       Children at least one year old and between twenty pounds and forty pounds in weight shall be restrained in a forward-facing position.

(E)       If the foster child is less than eight years of age and less than four feet nine inches in height, the child shall be properly restrained in a booster seat if paragraph (D) of this rule does not apply. The booster seat shall be placed in the back of any motor vehicle that has a back seat.

(F)  If paragraph (D) of this rule does not apply and When the foster child is at least four eight years old of age but not older than fifteen years of age and forty pounds in weight and less than eighty pounds or shorter than four feet, nine inches in height, the child shall be restrained in a belt positioning booster seat in a forward-facing position or in a seat belt including both a lap belt and a shoulder belt in vehicles that are so equipped. The booster seat shall be placed in the back seat of any motor vehicle that has a back seat.

(G)  All children age twelve and under shall ride in the back seat of a motor vehicle that has a back seat and shall not ride in the front seat of the vehicle unless the vehicle does not have a back seat. If a foster child rides in the front seat of a vehicle as allowed by this rule, the foster caregiver must disable the passenger side airbag if the vehicle is so equipped.

(H)       Paragraphs (C), (D), (E), and (F) of this rule do not apply to the foster caregiver who has a signed affidavit by a licensed physician in Ohio or a licensed chiropractor in Ohio. The affidavit shall state that the child who otherwise would be required to be restrained, has a physical impairment that makes use of a child restraint system, booster seat, or an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical, provided the person operating the vehicle has safely and appropriately restrained the child in accordance with any recommendation of the physician or chiropractor as noted on the affidavit.

All of us at Agape appreciate your efforts to help keep children safe and want to say thanks for all you do.

Bruce