Licensure of Adult Care Facilities and Adult Foster Homes
Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) and Adult Foster Homes (AFoHs) are residential care homes licensed by ODMH for the purpose of providing accommodations, supervision and personal care services to unrelated adults. Facilities receive a two-year license to operate after complying with the statutory requirements prescribed in the Ohio Revised Code and the rules set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code. Operators must undergo a comprehensive onsite inspection of the home in which inspectors verify the safe and sanitary condition of the facility, the capability of the operator and staff to meet their responsibilities in providing supervision and personal care services and the appropriateness of the placement of each resident in the adult care setting. ACFs and AFoHs that serve residents with serious mental illness have an additional obligation by rule to have staff and managers oriented to the care and supervision needs of these residents and to require specific training on an annual basis relevant to persons with a diagnosis of mental illness residing in the facility.
Communication Updates
- Memo from Anita Lieser, ODMH Licensure and Certification Office Chief, regarding the transition of the Adult Care Program and licenses and receipt of Ohio Department of Mental Health replacement license
- Memo from ODMH Director Plouck regarding the transfer of the ACF and AFoH licensure and oversight program to ODMH effective July 1, 2011
List of Adult Care Facilities
Adult Care Facilities listed alphabetically
Adult Care Facilities listed by county
List of Adult Foster Homes
Adult Foster Homes listed alphabetically
Adult Foster Homes listed by county
Licensure Applications and Agreements
Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) are Adult Family Homes (AFHs) and Adult Group Homes (AGHs) that provide supervision and personal care to three or more unrelated adults.
Applicable Policies: ACF Multi-Unit Policy
Facsimiles are not accepted and an incomplete application packet will be returned.
Adult Family Home (3-5 Residents):
Initial Application Requirements
- ACF Application - Initial
- Pre-Application Checklist for an Adult Family Home (AFH)
- If renter, a copy of the signed lease and agreement, and a landlord written letter of approval
- Copy of Central Heating System Inspection
- Copy of existing Fireplace Inspection
- Three personal references for the Owner
- Three personal references for the Manager(If not the same as the owner)
- Mental Health Participation Agreement(Word version, PDF version)
- Application Fee
- ACF Application - Renewal
- Application Fee
- ACF Application - Change of Ownership
- ACF Application - New Manager
- Three personal references for the Manager(if not the same as the owner)
Adult Group Home (6-16 Residents):
Initial Application Requirements
- ACF Application - Initial
- Pre-Application Checklist for an Adult Group Home(AGH)
- If renter, a copy of the signed lease and agreement, and a landlord written letter of approval
- Copy of Central Heating System Inspection
- Copy of existing Fireplace Inspection
- Three personal references for the Owner
- Three personal references for the Manager(if not the same as the owner)
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Fire Inspection
- Asset, Liability, and Projected Revenue and Expense Form
- Mental Health Participation Agreement(Word version, PDF version)
- Application Fee
- ACF Application - Renewal
- Application Fee
- ACF Application - Change of Ownership
- Consent form or Copy of the Bill of Sale ORC 5119.
- Asset, Liability, and Projected Revenue and Expense Form
- Three personal references for the Owner
- ACF Application - New Manager
- Three personal references for the Manager(if not the same as the owner)
An Adult Foster Homes (AFoHs) provide accommodations, supervision and personal care for one to two unrelated adults.
Facsimiles are not accepted and an incomplete application packet will be returned.
Adult Foster Home (1-2 Residents):
Initial Application Requirements
- AFoH Application
- Pre-Application Checklist for an Adult Group Home (AGH)
- If renter, a copy of the signed lease and agreement, and a landlord written letter of approval
- Copy of Central Heating System Inspection
- Copy of existing Fireplace Inspection
- Three personal references for the Owner
- Three personal references for the Manager(if not the same as the owner)
- Fire Inspection
- Asset, Liability, and Projected Revenue and Expense Form
- Application Fee
Complaint and Incident Notification Forms
Incident Notification Rule, DMH Star 001_2 (NEW) (PDF)
ACF Incident Report Form (Word version, PDF version)
If you wish to submit a complaint concerning a licensed or certified Ohio Department of Mental Health provider, please complete all applicable fields on the form below and submit. We will respond to all complaints. Thank you.
Complaint Form DMH-LIC-0982 (PDF)
Applicable Rules for Adult Care Facilities
Applicable Rules for Adult Foster Homes
| Rule No. | Title |
| 5122-35 | Download Chapter |
| 5122-35-01 | Introduction and definitions |
| 5122-35-02 | Certification |
| 5122-35-03 | Operator standards |
| 5122-35-04 | Caregiver standards |
| 5122-35-05 | Facility standards |
| 5122-35-06 | First aid standards |
| 5122-35-07 | Fire safety standards |
| 5122-35-08 | Denial or revocation of certification |
| 5122-35-09 | Responsibilities of operators |
| 5122-35-10 | Resident Rights |