2.1 Reducing Barriers to Family Enrollment and Redetermination

Lead Agency enrollment and redetermination policies may not unduly disrupt parents’ employment, education, or job training activities to comply with the Lead Agency’s or designated local entity’s requirements. Lead Agencies have broad flexibility to design and implement the eligibility practices that reduce barriers to enrollment and redetermination. Examples include developing strategies to inform families and their providers of an upcoming redetermination and the information that will be required of the family, pre-populating subsidy renewal forms, having parents confirm that the information is accurate, and/or asking only for the information necessary to make an eligibility redetermination. In addition, Lead Agencies can offer a variety of family-friendly methods for submitting documentation for eligibility redetermination that considers the range of needs for families in accessing support (e.g., use of languages other than English, access to transportation, accommodation of parents working non-traditional hours). 2.1.1 Eligibility practices to reduce barriers to enrollment a. Does the Lead Agency implement any of the following eligibility practices to reduce barriers at the time of initial eligibility determination? Check all that apply and describe those elements checked. i. [ ] Establishing presumptive eligibility while eligibility is being determined. Describe the policy, including the populations benefiting from the policy, and identify how long the period of presumptive eligibility is: ii. [x] Leveraging eligibility from other public assistance programs. Describe: Within the Ohio Benefits System, when an initial application is made for child care eligibility the information provided in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is able to be used to determine eligibility. This prevents the family from having to resubmit verification information. Within the Ohio Benefits System, if there is a report to a change in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a companion alert is sent so that the county worker knows the family’s income has changed and there may need to be change to child care benefits. iii. [x] Coordinating determinations for children in the same household (while still ensuring each child receives 12 months of eligibility). Describe: If a new child is added to the family, (this includes a new baby, a foster/kinship/adopted child, or when an ineligible child already on the case becomes eligible) and is in need of care, the new child will receive 12 months of eligibility. iv. [x] Self-assessment screening tools for families. Describe: Ohio offers The Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment online web-based tool that lets a family know if they may be eligible for any of the following services: * Early Childhood Education Grant (state preschool program) *Early Head Start *Head Start *Help Me Grow Early Intervention *Help Me Grow Home Visiting *Preschool Special Education and information on each program. v. [ ] Extended office hours (evenings and/or weekends). vi. [ ] Consultation available via phone. vii. [x] Other. Describe the Lead Agency policies to process applications efficiently and make timely eligibility determinations: The county agencies shall determine eligibility no later than thirty calendar days from the date the county agency receives the valid application. The complete application and all required supporting documentation shall be retained in the agency's files. If the county agency determines a caretaker is eligible for child care benefits, the eligibility period may begin on the date the county agency received the valid application. viii. [ ] None. b. Does the Lead Agency use an online subsidy application? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe why an online application is impracticable. c. Does the Lead Agency use different policies for families receiving TANF assistance? [x] Yes. If yes, describe the policies: A caretaker is eligible for transitional child care benefits for the twelve-month period immediately following the end of participation in Ohio Works First (OWF) if the caretaker meets all of the initial and recertification eligibility requirements and all of the following apply: (a) The caretaker needs child care due to employment. (b) The caretaker's initial income does not exceed one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). These amounts shall be published annually in a child care manual procedure letter. Caretakers who have applied for or received Ohio Works First - TANF and need child care to comply with a self-sufficiency contract or an individual opportunity plan, Caretakers who are sanctioned under OWF and are participating in an approved activity to meet OWF requirements, Caretakers who need child care to comply with a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), employment and training program plan, or Minor parents participating in the Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) are eligible for child care. [ ] No. 2.1.2 Preventing disruption of eligibility activities a. Identify, where applicable, the Lead Agency’s procedures and policies to ensure that parents do not have their employment, education, or job training unduly disrupted to comply with the State’s/Territory’s or designated local entity’s requirements for the redetermination of eligibility. Check all that apply. i. [x] Advance notice to parents of pending redetermination. ii. [ ] Advance notice to providers of pending redetermination. iii. [x] Pre-populated subsidy renewal form. iv. [x] Online documentation submission. v. [x] Cross-program redeterminations. vi. [ ] Extended office hours (evenings and/or weekends). vii. [x] Consultation available via phone. viii. [x] Leveraging eligibility from other public assistance programs. ix. [ ] Other. Describe: b. Does the Lead Agency use different policies for families receiving TANF assistance? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe the policies: [x] No.