COLUMBUS — The state needs to do a better job monitoring foster homes and enforcing child-care rules, according to an audit of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services issued Friday.

        Auditor Jim Petro offered 91 recommendations to improve Ohio's child-welfare programs. The audit examined 11 areas of human services, including foster-care licensing, independent-living programs, child-care services, child-care licensing and adoption services.

        The audit recommends spending $12 million to meet all the recommendations.

        Jacqueline Romer-Sensky, director of Job and Family Services, requested the audit in April 1999, shortly after becoming director. The department has already implemented at least 59 of the recommendations, she said.

        Gov. Bob Taft has ordered Ms. Romer-Sensky to explain prob lems with meeting federal child care requirements. The state faces an $8 million federal fine.

        The problems include a computer system that withheld child support payments from some parents since 1996. On Thursday, Ms. Romer-Sensky said those payments could total as much as $10 million.

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