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STATE OF OHIO OHIO DEPARTMENT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAM STATE TITLE IV-A PLAN
Submitted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §602
Effective Date: TBD
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services State Office Tower 32nd Floor 30 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43266-0423 614.466.6282
Matt Damschroder, Director The Honorable Mike Dewine, Governor
TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW OF OHIO'S TANF PROGRAMS ..................................................................................................... 1 OHIO'S TANF PROGRAMS ............................................................................................................................. 2 Ohio Works First ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Prevention, Retention & Contingency Program ..................................................................................... 10 Other TANF-Funded Benefits and Services ............................................................................................. 11 Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives ............................................................. 12 Additional Provisions .............................................................................................................................. 23 Family Supports ...................................................................................................................................... 26 GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................................. 27 State-County Relationship ...................................................................................................................... 27 Community Plans .................................................................................................................................... 27 Other TANF-Funded Benefits and Services ............................................................................................. 28 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................................... 29 A. Title IV-A State Plan in effect on August 21, 1996 ............................................................................. 29
1 Section I OVERVIEW OF OHIO'S TANF PROGRAMS In Ohio, the following programs and services are supported through the TANF program. Ohio Works First (OWF) - OWF is Ohio’s cash assistance program. It is a state-supervised, county- administered program that serves every political subdivision in the State. OWF provides time-limited cash assistance to needy families with (or expecting) children, by providing parents, specified relatives or legal guardians/custodians with work experience, training, and other support services needed to attain permanent self-sufficiency while meeting the family's ongoing basic needs. Non-time-limited OWF cash assistance is also provided to child-only cases. Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) - PRC is a state-supervised, county-administered program that serves every political subdivision in the State. The program is designed to provide benefits and services that are not considered assistance in accordance with 45 CFR §260.31. PRC provides ongoing services and nonrecurring short-term benefits designed to accomplish one of the four purposes of TANF, as described in 45 CFR §260.20, by addressing supports needed by working families and by addressing the needs of families with barriers to self-sufficiency. The goal is to provide the appropriate mix of cash and non-cash services that will enable the family to achieve self-sufficiency. Ohio chooses to provide services authorized by the Title IV-A Plan that was in effect on August 21, 1996. This plan authorizes Ohio to fund certain medical services and certain Child Welfare services with TANF dollars. The specific Title IV-A plan is in Appendix A. Other TANF-Funded Benefits and Services - Ohio also uses TANF funding to support several different Title IV-A programs or program components which serve TANF-eligible individuals. These programs are authorized either by the Ohio General Assembly or an Executive Order of the Governor. TANF funds must be reasonably calculated to achieve one of four purposes, as indicated by federal law. All of the programs listed are reasonably calculated to meet one or more of the four TANF purposes. The benefits and services provided under this section are not considered assistance as defined in 45 CFR §260.31(a) and are benefits and services that 45 CFR §260.31(b) excludes from the definition of assistance. Family Supports - A very important component in moving people toward self-sufficiency is the provision of adequate family supports. As families move into regular, meaningful employment, it is imperative that they are given the opportunity to access support services that help them maintain their jobs. Assistance with buying food, getting health coverage, paying for child care and transportation are all family supports that assist families in their pursuit of success. These are programs that are not TANF funded but, in coordination with PRC and OWF, support families as they pursue self-sufficiency. Overview of Funding The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has structured Federal TANF funds and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds in a manner consistent with federal and state law, as well as the efficient and effective operation of programs designed to serve the needs of families envisioned in the purposes of TANF. The structure of funding may include the following: • Segregated TANF funds expended in the TANF program. • Segregated State MOE funds expended in the TANF program.
2 • Commingled Federal TANF and State MOE funds expended in the TANF program. • Separate MOE funds expended on state programs operated outside the TANF program. To the extent allowable under federal law, the State may transfer funding from the TANF Block Grant to the Social Services Block Grant and the Child Care Development Fund. Section II OHIO'S TANF PROGRAMS Ohio Works First Ohio Works First (OWF) is Ohio’s TANF cash assistance program for needy families. OWF is a temporary cash assistance program that encourages family self-sufficiency through employment. Participation in OWF requires each work-eligible individual, adult and minor head of household to sign and follow a self- sufficiency contract. The self-sufficiency contract requires each individual to engage in work activities. A ‘minor head-of-household’ is defined as a minor child who is either: (1) married, at least six months pregnant and a member of an assistance group that does not include an adult; or (2) married, and a parent of a child included in the same assistance group that does not include an adult. When determining eligibility for OWF, the State requires that the assistance group contain a minor child who resides with a custodial parent, legal guardian, legal custodian or specified relative caring for the child (under Ohio law, guardians and custodians stand in loco parentis); or a pregnant woman. There is no resource limit/asset test in the OWF program. For purposes of determining income eligibility, the following individuals (unless ineligible or otherwise excluded) must be included in the assistance group: A minor child who is determined eligible for OWF; all natural or adoptive parents of the minor child; and all minor siblings living with the minor child. Initial Income Test The first step in determining whether a family is financially eligible to participate in OWF is the state's initial income test. The initial income test is a modified program eligibility test, similar to the initial eligibility test formerly prescribed by the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) regulation. The earned income disregard is not applied at this initial income test. Current state law requires that the initial eligibility standards are annually indexed to fifty per cent of the federal poverty level (FPL) effective July 1 of each year. Continued Eligibility If the family's gross monthly income does not exceed fifty per cent of the FPL for the appropriate household size, the family passes the initial income test. The family's eligibility for an OWF cash benefit is determined by disregarding $250 and half the remainder from the family's gross monthly earned income (the earned income disregard) and deducting any verified non- publicly funded dependent care costs. The family's unearned income is added to the remainder, and the total is compared to the OWF payment standard for the family size. The OWF payment is the difference derived from subtracting the family's countable income from the OWF payment standard for the family size.
3 Benefit Levels The maximum OWF benefit levels available to assistance groups are based on the assistance group size. Current state law requires that effective January 1, 2009, OWF payment standards be increased annually each January based upon the cost-of-living-adjustment by the Social Security Administration in the previous year. The current OWF payment standards can be accessed at the following URL: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/OWFPaymentStandards.stm. Temporary Absence A temporarily absent individual is considered to be in the home for eligibility purposes under OWF. The absence of a member of the assistance group is temporary if all the following conditions are met: • The location of the absent individual is known; • There is a definite plan for the return of the absent individual to the home; and • The absent individual shared the home with the assistance group prior to the onset of the absence. A minor child or parent/specified relative who, without good cause, has been, or is expected to be, absent from the home for a period of forty-five consecutive days or longer does not meet the temporary absence requirement for OWF. Exceptions to this requirement are limited to the following good cause reasons: • Hospitalization (includes inpatient drug and alcohol treatment); • Detention in a juvenile home until a court commitment; • Attendance at school; • Vacationing; • Trip made in connection with current or prospective employment; • Shared parenting situations; • Service in the military when it is the sole reason for absence; and • Removal of a child(ren) by the Public Children Services Agency (PCSA) if a reunification plan is in place and the parents are cooperating with it. Cash assistance for a child(ren) removed can continue to be provided for up to six payment months after the removal date. State and Federal Time Limits An assistance group in receipt of OWF that includes an adult or minor head-of-household is subject to state and federal time limits. In Ohio, the state time limit is 36-months; this time limit applies regardless of whether the thirty-six months are consecutive. The 36-months count toward the federal 60-month time limit. After 36-months, the assistance group is ineligible for further payments unless the county department of job and family services (CDJFS) approves an extension of benefits.
4 There are four kinds of CDJFS-determined extensions: (1) "state hardship;" (2) "good cause;" (3) "federal hardship;" and (4) “domestic violence.” Both the state hardship and federal hardship extensions are determined in the same manner and both are subject to a 20% limit, i.e., a CDJFS may exempt up to 20% of the average monthly number of assistance groups receiving OWF from the time limit if the CDJFS determines that the time limit is a hardship. An assistance group can receive a state hardship extension any time after the 36- month limit has been reached. Neither federal nor state law defines the term “hardship.” In determining whether the time limit is a hardship, the county must look at the totality of the family’s circumstances to determine whether the 36- or 60-month time limit is a hardship. Most CDJFS have developed a list of situations that they consider to be hardship, but they are also to consider the totality of the circumstances if a family's situation does not fit within one of the listed situations the CDJFS has identified. An assistance group can only receive a good cause extension after a 24-month waiting period following termination of OWF after 36-months. After 24-months have passed, a CDJFS may determine that good cause exists. The CDJFS have also identified lists of good cause reasons for extending eligibility. When the CDJFS determines that good cause exists, the assistance group may be eligible for up to an additional 24-months of cash assistance. After 60-months, the assistance group is ineligible for further payments unless the CDJFS approves a federal hardship extension. The 60-month limit includes the first 36-months plus all state hardship and good cause extension months. Both state and federal time limits count any months of TANF cash assistance received in another state. An assistance group approved for OWF as a result of an extension must meet all eligibility requirements and sign a new self-sufficiency contract. State and Federal time limits began on October 1, 1997, and are not applied retrospectively to participants who received assistance and services before October 1, 1997. When the CDJFS determines that an individual has been subjected to domestic violence and requiring compliance with the OWF requirement would potentially make it more difficult for the individual to escape the domestic violence unfairly penalize the individual, then an assistance group may receive a waiver of the 36- or 60-month time limit due to domestic violence. Extensions beyond the 36-month time limit due to domestic violence do not count in the CDJFS’s 20% limit for hardship extensions. School Attendance for Teen Parents The Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) Program, is a component of OWF. LEAP is Ohio’s program to encourage teen parents to remain in school and obtain a high school diploma or high school equivalence diploma. (This program is a continuation of the program previously operated under a waiver, with changes made to comply with federal regulations.) All teen parents and pregnant teens under the age of 18 or 18 and attending school are required to participate in LEAP. A $62 attendance bonus is given to the teen for any month that a teen maintains good attendance. Other bonuses paid to LEAP participants include a one-time $100 school enrollment bonus, a $100 grade completion bonus and a $500 graduation bonus. A $62 sanction is imposed for any month that a teen does not maintain good attendance. Certain teen parents who are not attending high school or the equivalent are required to participate in an alternative
5 educational or training program. Failure of the teen parent to complete an assessment, enroll in school, attend school or an alternative educational or training program or withdraw from school results in the teen parent’s ineligibility for OWF. A teen parent who is 18 years of age and not attending school is required to participate in work activities. A teen parent is exempt from participation in the LEAP program due to, but not limited to, the following reasons: caring for a child less than twelve weeks old, attending home school or Internet school, has barriers such as lack of child care or transportation, the child of the teen has a physical or mental illness expected to last at least one month or longer, or other exceptional circumstances that prevent the teen from attending school. Ensuring Participants Engage in Work The State has adopted several policies and procedures to ensure required participants engage in work. These policies and procedures include: • County Corrective Compliance Plans: Counties that failed to meet the work participation rates are required to develop corrective compliance plans to explain how their agency will meet the rates. These plans will require sign off from the boards of county commissioners ensuring their county is committed to correcting its noncompliance. • Additional Monitoring: The State has made enhanced monitoring reports available so that county agencies are able to more quickly respond to failures and ensure non-compliances are dealt with immediately. Assessment/Appraisal The goal of OWF is that every family becomes self-sufficient. Prior to the approval of benefits for OWF applicants, the CDJFS must conduct an appraisal of each adult or minor head of household member of the assistance group. The appraisal includes screening for domestic violence, and an evaluation of employment history, education, skills, abilities, interests, and work barriers in order to formulate an employment goal and a plan to achieve self-sufficiency for the individual and the family. The CDJFS also assesses the skills, prior work experience and employability of each participant who is at least 18 years of age, or who is not attending secondary school and who has not completed high school or obtained a high school equivalency certificate. Self-Sufficiency Contracts Each work-eligible individual, minor head of household and adult member of the OWF assistance group under 42 U.S.C. 607(i)(1)(A) must enter into a written agreement with the CDJFS. The agreement is called a self-sufficiency contract (SSC) or individual opportunity plan (IOP). The SSC or IOP must be entered into within thirty days of applying and prior to the authorization of OWF benefits or when undergoing a redetermination of eligibility for OWF. The conditions in the SSC or IOP should be based on the mandatory appraisal each CDJFS is required to perform when an assistance group applies for assistance. The SSC or IOP sets forth the rights and responsibilities of both the assistance group and the CDJFS. Each SSC or IOP includes (but is not limited to) the following: • The assistance group's plan to achieve self-sufficiency and personal responsibility through unsubsidized employment within the time limits specified for participation.
6 • Work assignments for each work-eligible individual in the family- including the type of assignment (federally-allowable work activities, and/or alternative activities), the specific assignment and the number of hours of participation required. • Responsibility of the caretaker member of the assistance group to cooperate in establishing the minor child's paternity and establishing, modifying, and enforcing a support order for the child. • Other responsibilities that members of the assistance group must satisfy to participate in OWF. • The consequences to the assistance group for failure or refusal without good cause to satisfy all the responsibilities contained in the SSC or IOP. • Assistance and services to be provided to the assistance group by the CDJFS, the Child Support Enforcement Agency, and the PCSA. • Other provisions designed to enable the assistance group to achieve self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. • Procedures for assessing the compliance of the work-eligible individual(s) and CDJFS with the terms of the SSC or IOP and whether the contract should be amended. • Procedures for amending the contract. • The good cause reasons for missing hours of participation. • An explanation of the individual's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the right to request another appraisal or comprehensive assessment when the individual discloses, has or appears to have a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activity. If the work-eligible individual, adult or minor head of household fails or refuses to comply in full with a provision of the SSC or IOP without good cause in accordance with the state’s good cause policy, the assistance group is sanctioned in accordance with the state’s sanction policy. ODJFS offers a descriptive self-sufficiency contract model to the CDJFS. The CDJFS is not required to use the model but must remain consistent with OWF provisions, if the CDJFS chooses to adopt its own model. ODJFS has also developed a standardized good cause policy that is applicable statewide. Pay-for-Performance Each CDJFS has the option of requiring OWF applicant assistance groups that contain a work-eligible individual to complete a work assignment prior to the authorization of benefits. Job search and job readiness is the only allowable work activity that an applicant assistance group may be assigned. For the CDJFS that requires a work-eligible individuals to complete a job search/job readiness applicant assignment as part of the eligibility determination process, they must make an eligibility determination no later than 30 days following the submission of the application for OWF benefits. Sanctions Before a county JFS office sanctions an assistance group, they must provide the assistance group with written notice of the sanction failure and/or refusal dates and failed and/or refused hours when
7 applicable. The first failure or refusal without good cause results in OWF ineligibility for the entire assistance group for one payment month or until the failure or refusal ceases, whichever is longer. The assistance group may also receive a reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food assistance, benefits. The second failure or refusal results in OWF ineligibility for the entire assistance group for three payment months or until the failure or refusal ceases, whichever is longer. The assistance group may also receive a reduction in SNAP benefits. The third or subsequent failure or refusal results in OWF ineligibility for the entire assistance group for six payment months or until the failure or refusal ceases, whichever is longer. The assistance group may also receive a reduction in SNAP benefits. The failure or refusal ceases: • With the receipt of a compliance form signed by the assistance group member who failed the provision of the SSC; and • For a second and any subsequent tier sanction, when the sanctioned individual has displayed a willingness to comply with program requirements by completing an appropriate compliance activity. Assistance groups who are sanctioned remain eligible for publicly funded child care and support services. General Work Provisions An OWF work-eligible individual cannot be assigned to a federal work or alternative activity with an employer when the employer removes or discharges another person for the purpose of substituting the participant in the person's place. This is true for any of the following circumstances where: • The person is already employed as a regular, full-time or part-time employee; • The person has been employed full-time or part-time as a participant in a work activity or alternative activity; • The person is, or has been, involved in a dispute between a labor organization and the employer; or • The person is on a layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job. An employer cannot hire a participant to circumvent hiring a full-time employee. Each CDJFS shall have a grievance process to resolve complaints by employers and participants. Exemptions From Work Activities There are limited exemptions from work requirements. Child-only cases are exempt, and Ohio has taken the state option that exempts a single-parent who is caring for a child under age one from federal work participation requirements. This is a county option, and the county may choose to exempt or assign the individual. Based on the results of an employability assessment, a work-eligible individual may be exempt from participating in some or all of the hours required for federal work activities.
8 Work Activities Each work-eligible individual in the family is required to participate in federally required work activities and/or alternative activities. Federally Required Work Activities Ohio conforms with and operates the work activities contained in federal law at 42 U.S.C. § 607(d) and defined under federal regulation at 45 CFR Parts 261 et al. Chapter 5101:1 of the Ohio Administrative Code sets forth the activities to which a county shall assign work eligible individuals. These rules adopt and augment the federal definitions. Further description of the work activities is found in Ohio’s State Work Verification Plan, which is accessible at the following website: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/tanf_info.stm. Alternative Activities In cases where traditional work activities are unsuitable and individuals are unable to participate in federal work activities, individuals are placed in alternative activities appropriate to their specific circumstances and needs. Alternative activities may include, but are not limited to: 1) parenting classes and life-skills training; 2) participating in certified alcohol or drug addiction programs; 3) in the case of a homeless assistance group, finding a home; 4) in the case of a minor head-of-household or an adult with a disability, active work in an individual written rehabilitation plan with the Department of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, formerly known as the Rehabilitation Services Commission; 5) in the case of an adult or minor head-of-household who has been the victim of domestic violence, residing in a domestic violence shelter, receiving counseling or treatment related to the domestic violence, or participating in criminal justice proceedings against the domestic violence offender. Alternative activities may be any activity that moves the family toward self-sufficiency. The CDJFS shall establish standards for determining whether any work-eligible individual(s) in the family has a temporary or permanent barrier to participating in federal work activities. Work After Two Years Each CDJFS must immediately assess and assign each work-eligible individual to a federal work or alternative activity prior to the approval of OWF benefits. ODJFS and each CDJFS understands that 42 U.S.C. § 602 (a)(1)(A)(ii) requires that each work-eligible individual in the family must be participating in some type of a work activity after receiving cash assistance for 24 months. Since Ohio requires work- eligible individuals to be appraised and assigned to a work activity prior to the approval of OWF benefits, all work-eligible individuals should receive an assignment by the time the 24-month period is reached. Community Service After Two Months Ohio opted out of 42 U.S.C. § 602(a)(1)(B)(iv), which requires a parent or caretaker receiving cash assistance to participate in community service after two months if the parent or caretaker is not engaged in or exempt from work activities. The Community Service Activity is not necessary to offer in Ohio because all work-eligible individuals are assessed and assigned to federal or alternative activities prior to the approval of OWF benefits.
9 Number of Hours Required to Work Ohio policy regarding required hours of participation comports with federal TANF law set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 607(c), and when applicable, with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 (29 U.S.C. § 201 et.seq.). The CDJFS has the option of assigning a parent with a child under the age of one to a federal work activity. That family is included in the federal participation rate calculation. Based on the results of an employability assessment, an individual may be exempted from some or all of the hours required for federal work activities due to family or individual barriers to participation. Ombudsperson Ohio statute requires each CDJFS to have at least one OWF ombudsperson. The OWF ombudsperson acts as a liaison between the OWF applicant/participant and the CDJFS. Work Participation Rates Ohio will comply with provisions related to work participation rates outlined in 42 U.S.C. § 607. Domestic Violence Option Ohio has adopted a domestic violence waiver program in accordance with the provisions set forth in 42 U.S.C. §602(a)(7)(B). The program became effective January 1, 2008 and includes the federal definition of domestic violence. Ohio’s domestic violence waiver program includes universal notification, screening, referral and waiver of certain program requirements. Each applicant for and recipient of OWF receives notification about domestic violence at each application and reapplication for benefits. Screening occurs during the appraisal interview, the review of eligibility at the expiration of OWF due to state or federal time limits, when good cause for refusal to cooperate with child support is requested by the individual, when there is a failure to comply with the terms of the self-sufficiency contract, and at other times as determined necessary by the CDJFS. Ohio certifies that if the individual responds affirmatively to any screening question at any interval, then they are notified of assistance to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking and must be referred for counseling and supportive services. Ohio’s policy also provides that the individual may decline the referral or may stop counseling or supportive services at any time. Waiver of OWF/TANF eligibility requirements is possible if cooperation or compliance with the eligibility requirement would make it more difficult for the individual to escape the domestic violence or unfairly penalize the individual. OWF eligibility requirements that may be waived due to domestic violence include cooperation with the child support enforcement agency, participation in a work activity, and time limits for receipt of TANF cash assistance. Ohio certifies that case workers and other agency personnel are provided training covering the domestic violence policies, screening, referring for services and waiver of certain eligibility requirements in Ohio. This being trained in: the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; state standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and methods of ascertaining and ensuring the
10 confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to applicants for assistance and their children who have provided notice about their experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. This training is conducted yearly.
Prevention, Retention & Contingency Program Services The Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) program provides benefits and services to TANF- eligible families who are in need of help with essential supports to move out of poverty and achieve self- sufficiency. The program is designed to provide benefits and services that are not considered assistance under 45 CFR § 260.31. The PRC program offers a broad variety of services and short-term benefits for TANF-eligible families that are designed to accomplish one of the four purposes of TANF. In addition, Ohio provides services authorized by the Title IV-A Plan that was in effect on August 21, 1996. This plan authorizes Ohio to fund certain medical and certain Child Welfare services with TANF dollars. The specific Title IV-A Plan is in Appendix A. Prevention services are designed to be given to a PRC assistance group (the PRC assistance group is not necessarily the same as an assistance group as defined in OWF) to divert them from ongoing cash assistance and help them reach self-sufficiency by helping them through the presenting crisis. Retention services are provided to the PRC assistance group to allow an employed member to maintain employment and, thereby, achieve or continue self-sufficiency. Contingency services are provided to the PRC assistance group to meet an emergent need which, if not met, threatens the safety, health or well- being of one or more PRC assistance group members. Among the TANF-allowable services that may be provided to TANF-eligible individuals are: services for unruly and misdemeanant youth; information and referral services to kinship caregivers concerning access to legal services, child care, respite care and financial assistance, adult literacy and child reading services; workforce development and supportive services; micro-enterprise development and other entrepreneurship activities; youth job training; job creation and retention services; teen pregnancy prevention services; out-of-wedlock pregnancy prevention services; school readiness services, such as counseling and placement, parent education and parent-child activities, peer support groups, and home visits; disaster relief; transportation services; domestic violence services; after-school programs; family preservation and reunification services; mediation services; employer recruitment; early childhood developmental and intervention services; Individual Development Account (IDA) match; and post- secondary education and job training.
PRC Administration Each CDJFS is required to have a written statement of its PRC program and policy (PRC plan). Each CDJFS must update the county PRC plan at least every two years. A CDJFS may amend its PRC plan at any time. Effective October 15, 2009, a CDJFS may amend its PRC plan to temporarily suspend operation of its PRC program.
11 In adopting the PRC plan, each CDJFS must establish or specify all of the following: • Benefits and services to be provided under the program that are allowable uses of federal IV-A funds under 42 U.S.C. §601 and §604(a). These benefits and services may not be "assistance," as defined in 45 C.F.R. §260.31(a) but rather benefits and services that 45 C.F.R. §260.31(b) excludes from the definition of assistance; • Identification of one or more TANF purpose(s) that the benefit or service can reasonably be expected to meet; • Restrictions on the amount, duration, and frequency of the benefits and services; • Eligibility requirements for the benefits and services; • Fair and equitable procedures for both of the following: o The certification of eligibility for the benefits and services that do not have a financial need eligibility requirement; and o The determination and verification of eligibility for the benefits and services that have a financial need eligibility requirement. • Objective criteria for the delivery of the benefits and services; • Administrative requirements; and • Other matters the CDJFS determines are necessary. Each CDJFS determines the number of programs it will administer and the eligibility criteria, including financial eligibility thresholds for each program. Each program must meet federal TANF requirements. Each program designed to meet TANF purpose one or purpose two must have financial eligibility requirements. Maintenance of effort (MOE) funds are only claimed for PRC programs reasonably calculated to accomplish TANF purposes one or two. The funds are commingled and are not separate state programs. Each CDJFS must ensure that the PRC plan is consistent with Title IV-A, federal regulations, state law, the Title IV-A state plan submitted to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, and amendments to the plan. In addition, each CDJFS must provide ODJFS with a written copy of the PRC plan and any amendments to the plan not later than ten calendar days after the effective date of the plan or amendment. The receipt of these plans does not constitute an approval or disapproval of the policies and practices outlined by the counties and does not represent the concurrence of the State with any claims by the County. Each CDJFS PRC Plan can be accessed at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/owf/prc/county/countytable.stm. Other TANF-Funded Benefits and Services Ohio also uses TANF funding to support different Title IV-A programs and program components which serve TANF-eligible individuals. These programs are authorized either by the Ohio General Assembly or
12 an Executive Order of the Governor. TANF funds must be reasonably calculated to achieve one of four purposes, as indicated by federal law: (1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and (4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. All of the programs listed are reasonably calculated to meet one or more of the four TANF purposes. Additionally, the benefits and services provided under this section are not considered assistance as defined in 45 CFR §260.31(a) and are benefits and services that 45 CFR §260.31(b) excludes from the definition of assistance. Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI) serves as a clearinghouse of information on federal, state and local funding for charitable services. The GOFBCI encourages and coordinates collaboration between governmental entities and not-for- profit organizations who share a common mission. The GOFBCI has multiple sources of funding, including TANF block grant funds. The long-term goal of the GOFBCI is to strengthen Ohio families, improve child well-being and reduce childhood poverty by directing efforts to expand, enhance and build community capacity. Federal TANF funds (not state MOE funds) are used for programs that meet both the mission of GOFBCI and one of the four purposes of TANF. For FFY 2023, TANF funds are provided to a number of Ohio’s non-profit organizations that provide a variety of TANF eligible services and supports. Ohio will continue to identify and evaluate other program options to provide funding that will be used to promote the mission of the GOFBCI and meet one of the four purposes of TANF. The target population is low-income families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Other TANF-funded programs Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program The Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) provides a common framework for delivering case management, employment and supportive services to low-income 14-to 24-year olds who are: an OWF work-eligible individual; an OWF or PRC recipient who volunteers; or an in-school and out-of-school Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth. The program leverages resources from TANF and WIOA Youth program to provide early intervention to break the cycle of poverty. CCMEP takes a coordinated, holistic approach to stabilizing individuals and families by addressing the myriad of factors that may be contributing to poverty and unemployment, including housing, education, transportation and child care. In conjunction with supportive services, the program provides access to employment and training services, including career counseling, job placement and services to facilitate job retention. As part of this coordinated approach, an OWF work-eligible
13 individual must undergo a comprehensive assessment and sign an individual opportunity plan (equivalent to a self-sufficiency contract) prior to the authorization of benefits. The target population is low-income -families below 200% of the federal poverty level. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purposes one and two. Independent Living Initative Federal TANF funds are used to expand services for individuals who have or will soon emancipate from the foster care system. TANF funds are used to expand services to this population and supplement the federal Chafee Independent Living funds. The services assist individuals in the development of skills needed to successfully transition from youth to adulthood, from foster care to independent living in the community, by choosing healthy and productive options that result in responsible and self-sufficient lives and decrease the incidence of out-of-wedlock births in this population. Individuals served include older children in the custody of the Public Children Services Agency who are likely to remain in custody until age 18 and young adults aged 18 to 21 who have exited the custody of the Public Children Services Agency. Kinship Permanency Incentive Program (KPI) The KPI Program was created to promote permanency for a minor child in the legal and physical custody of a kinship caregiver. The program provides an initial one-time incentive payment to the kinship caregiver to defray the costs of initial placement of the minor child in the kinship caregiver’s home. The program may provide additional permanency incentive payments for the minor child at six-month intervals for a total period not to exceed thirty-six months, as long as the child remains in the legal and physical custody of the kinship caregiver. The KPI Program is administered by the local County Public Children Services Agencies. The kinship caregiver must be the custodian or guardian of the minor child. The gross income of the kinship caregiver’s family, including the minor child, cannot exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. Expenditures under the KPI program are claimed as MOE. Ohio’s Children’s Trust Fund The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund will utilize TANF to provide parent education, information and referrals, and support services to families on a short-term basis through a regional service delivery model. Additionally, the Trust Fund will partner with birthing hospitals across the state to offer one time parent education sessions and informational packets pertaining to infant and young child injury prevention to new parents. This will accompany the provision of concrete supports - one-time safety items, such as cribs, Pack ’n Plays, car seats and strollers for eligible families. Both efforts are provided to assist needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. The target population is low-income families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purposes one and three. The Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy Program This program is designed to provide services to pregnant women and parents or other relatives caring for children twelve months of age or younger, by promoting childbirth, parenting, and alternatives to
14 abortion. The program is funded by TANF and is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purposes three and four. Ohio Alliance Boys and Girls Club This initiative is designed to provide after school and summer enrichment programs for at-risk children and enable youths to become responsible adults. The goal of the program is to demonstrate commitment to learning and education by providing academic support. The program meets TANF purpose three through program participation that is designed to decrease the likelihood they will engage in early sexual activity. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Ohio Association of Foodbanks Through a memorandum of understanding with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, the state will claim the value of private donations of food and money received by the foodbanks for TANF- eligible families with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level as MOE in one quarter of each federal fiscal year. Additionally, starting in federal fiscal year 2011, the state will claim the allocable portion of volunteer in- kind time provided to the food banks for administration. The dollar value of the volunteer time is based on data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ohio’s volunteer hourly rate is adjusted annually and can be found at http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time. The State provides a portion of TANF funding to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks through its biennium budget process, to support the OAF and member Foodbanks in the purchase and distribution of food products, support the Innovative Summer Meals programs for children, and provide free tax filing services and capacity building equipment for food pantries and soup kitchens. This initiative is designed to reasonably achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Toledo Foodbanks The State provides a portion of TANF funding to the Toledo Foodbanks through its biennium budget process, to assist the Toledo Seagate Foodbank and the Southside Life Station Food Pantry with the cost of implementing or improving their current food distribution to eligible individuals and families. This initiative is designed to reasonably achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services.
15 Children's Hunger Alliance This initiative is designed to assist with meal sponsorship, early child care programs, child care, consultations and nutrition education, school district nutrition programs, after school nutrition programs and summer nutrition programs. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one by providing food and nutrition assistance so that children may be cared for in their own homes. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Ohio This initiative is designed to help youth of incarcerated parents develop mentoring relationships that promote developmental assets, increase positive attitudes and behaviors, and protect them from high risk behaviors. Children who have experienced trauma are at risk for behaviors considered to be high risk (i.e., truancy, substance abuse, promiscuity), which can then lead to cases involving Child Protective Services or Juvenile Justice. Mentors lessen the likelihood of a child engaging in those high risk behaviors and potentially being removed from the home. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Ohio Council of YWCA’s This initiative is designed to support YWCA programs that prevent domestic violence, support victims of domestic violence, provide trauma-informed support for survivors, and support educational opportunities for at-risk youth. It is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. YWCA of Greater Cleveland Early Learning Center This initiative is designed to support the trauma informed preschool for homeless, low income and at- risk preschool children and parents who have experienced homelessness and other trauma. The program is funded by TANF MOE and reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one as the focus of this program is to assist families that are or have experienced homelessness and assist them in attaining and maintaining safe, stable housing for their families. The program also works to assist families in increasing their self-sufficiency so they are better able to provide for their families in a healthy way that promotes growth and stability. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services.
16 Waterford Institute Pilot Program This initiative enables high-needs, low-income families to close the achievement gap by empowering parents and caregivers as their child’s first teacher right in the home. The program helps children develop foundational academic and cognitive skills using personalized, adaptive, interactive software. The program focuses on eligible children in their individual family homes and Family Child Care Type A & Type B home providers serving children through the publicly funded childcare program. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one and three because the program aims to provide parents guidance, training and ongoing coaching to help parents engage more intentionally in their child’s learning to develop school readiness. Additionally, research shows at risk children who start kindergarten without basic skills are 40% more likely to become teen parents. The program provides the basic skills to prepare them for success in school. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or non-custodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household is at or below 200% FPL and is a U.S. citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for TANF services. Marriage Works! Ohio This initiative provides funding to support the Marriage Works Ohio program in Dayton to provide relationship and marital support, successful marriage strategies to couples, as well as healthy relationship strategies to teens to prevent out of wedlock parenting. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose four. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. University Settlement This initiative supports the University Settlement family assistance programs, which provide intervention and support to families in the Broadway-Slavic village neighborhood of Cleveland at risk of losing one or more children to child-welfare/foster care. Families will receive a family services plan to address barriers and provide strategies for children to remain in parental custody. This initiative is based on family stabilization which would reasonably be designed to meet TANF purpose one. The program is funded by TANF with no NRST benefits offered. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or non-custodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household is at or below 200% FPL and is a U.S. citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for TANF services. Communities in Schools of Ohio This initiative supports youth who are at risk of dropping out of school. The grantees will work with school districts experiencing chronic absenteeism and provide wraparound services to address family and/or student barriers to academic success. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services.
17 Open Doors Academy This initiative supports the Seven Year Promise program which provides academic, job preparation and life skills support to low income middle and high school youth. This is reasonably designed meet TANF purpose three. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or non-custodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household is at or below 200% FPL and is a U.S. citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for TANF services. Produce Perks This initiative supports Ohio’s nutrition incentive program which provides a dollar-for-dollar incentive for low income families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to buy healthy produce from Ohio farmers and retailers. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose one and/or two. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or non-custodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household is at or below 200% FPL and is a U.S. citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for TANF services.
Family Stability Programs- Siemer Institute/United Way This initiative support Family Stability Programs, in collaboration with United Way affiliates, to help provide services and early intervention focused on improving family housing stability, increasing household income, reducing school mobility, and supporting two-generation programming to stability families. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Ohio Alliance of YMCA Foundation Ohio YMCA’s before and after school child care sites and summer day camps will leverage a continuous quality improvement (CQI) tool to ensure social emotional learning impacts within all YMCA afterschool and day camps for eligible children 8-13 years of age. Participants will be assessed allowing the staff to learn about the impact of specific programming, as well as areas for improvement to foster students’ growth to dramatically reduce student’s academic barriers. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three because it creates a safe, supervised space for children after-school and during the day in the summer with program participation designed to decrease the likelihood children will engage in early sexual activity. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
Child Focus, Inc. This initiative is designed to support early learning for at-risk youth in addition to workforce development, life skills training, parent education, and couples therapy to improve healthy family formation, maintenance, and stability for young adult parents and financially disadvantaged couples. The program is designed to establish positive and trusting relationships with families, assist them with basic needs and community resources and value them as critical partners in achieving their employment
18 and education goals, building economic stability for families and helping all children grow and thrive while breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purposes one, two and four. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Shoes and Clothes for Kids This initiative is designed to provide eligible school age children grades 1-3, appropriate clothing, shoes and school supplies based on need for the school year, to help improve school attendance and correspondingly Third Grade Reading scores. The Third Grade Reading Guarantee is a program to identify students from Kindergarten through Grade 3 that are behind in reading. Passed in 2012, ORC 3313.608, the Third Grade Reading Guarantee attempts to ensure children can read proficiently before the fourth grade through mandatory testing from kindergarten through third grade. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three because the program seeks to increase reading levels and support continuation of school/education. TANF eligible students benefit through academic empowerment and breaking the cycle that leads to poverty giving them the ability to thrive academically and reach their full earning potential. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. University Circle Inc. The University Circle’s Circle Scholars afterschool program for 6th, 7th and 8th graders helps students become good stewards of their communities and environments and build skills in the area of critical thinking, self-leadership and goal setting. Participating students make visits to University Circle arts and culture-rich institutions, including Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland History Center and Cleveland Museum of Arts as well as other community organizations. Each institution will provide programming based on their institutions’ collections and specific University Circle program objectives, connecting their collections to Cleveland and ideas of leadership, community, sustainability and stewardship of urban natural resources. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three because it creates safe, supervised spaces for children ages 11-14 during after- school time and during the day in the summer structured around parents work schedules to provide care and enrichment for eligible families at no cost, and program participation is designed to decrease the likelihood children will engage in early sexual activity. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Somali Community Link This initiative is designed to reduce poverty by addressing its root causes within the immigrant Somali community living in Franklin County, a population that is growing and experiences disproportionate poverty. The Housing Assistance program helps mitigate and prevent eviction and potential homelessness for the households served by providing counselling and financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments to low-income Franklin County/Columbus Somali immigrant city residents. This
19 initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purposes one as landlord mediation efforts can assist with the preservation of affordable housing as well as keeping individuals and families housed. By maintaining housing, participants are able to keep their families together, improve health and safety outcomes, and strengthen their overall wellbeing. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Birthing Beautiful Communities in Cleveland This initiative is designed to provide services to pregnant and newly postpartum mothers, and their families through a scope of services which include birth attendant training and skills development services, as well as direct perinatal birth attendant support services. Areas of case management and social support include labor support, stress management, and educational support including assisting clients with obtaining a GED or an advance degree/certificate. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purposes one, two and four by working to not only reduce infant mortality, but to also work with families to gain sustainability to support themselves. In working with both parents, BBC ensures that parents are able to gain the tools needed to support their families. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. The Foundry in Cleveland The Cleveland Foundry’s Row, Sail, Dream Program introduces eligible 6th, 7th and 8th graders of Cleveland Metropolitan School District to the sport of rowing and sailing to develop valuable life skills and open pathways to future opportunities and life success. Students reach increasing levels of rowing and sailing including the in-depth training required for college scholarship. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three because the program helps children develop physical skills, life- skills, get exercise, learn teamwork and improve self-esteem; all of which reduces the likelihood they will engage in early sexual activity. The Cleveland Foundry creates a safe, supervised space for children after- school and during the day in the summer. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. INspirED InspirEducation offers workshops with the curriculum focusing on exposure to different career paths and types of post-secondary education. Through a combination classroom discussion and hands-on projects, students enter into the post-secondary planning stages of their high school careers with a clear, purposeful understanding of how they to develop their post- secondary educational goals. Participants also receive individualized educational advising, to chart their own best path. The individualized approach begins with a holistic evaluation of student’s passions, skills and talents and culminates with exploration of career, salary, internship opportunities, job placement ratings and overall costs between different degree programs at different institutions. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose one and two because it will directly and indirectly end dependence of needy
20 parents on government benefits as well as prevent and reduce incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. InspireEducation programming is intended to lead to a timely graduation, financial independence and rewarding careers. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services. Mahoning Valley Community School This initiative is designed to engage high-school youth in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties through an after-school program that provides enrichment activities through life-skills and organized sporting activities. The program provides youth with case managers for college and career readiness planning. Case managers assist with applications, resumes, FAFSA, obtaining ID’s, preparing for careers and college, life-skills and student wellness programming. This initiative is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three through careful planning and assisting youth to meet their college and career goals, utilize the knowledge and skills learned in after-school programming to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and gain the skills to chart a path to secure their future goals. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Eligible participants are targeted for the TANF services.
College Now This initiative is designed to provide payments to family support specialist employed by the “Say Yes to Education Cleveland” program. The program is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose one because it connects students and families with social service supports that will keep families together and children learning in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools and six partnering charter schools. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program This initiative provides the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program and other partnerining organizations the ability to provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, workforce development, child care and youth resilience and other social determinants of health improvement programming to youth and families. Eligibility is for individuals in the southeast region of Ohio that have been impacted by trauma, domestice violence, or substance abuse. This program is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose two as it aims to strengthen families and achieve self-sufficiency by providing supportive services that include workforce development opportunities for clients to include on-the-job training and supported employment, childcare coordination and referrals, transportation and transitional housing. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
21 United Way of Greater Cincinnati This initiative supports the Project LIFT Program in Brown and Clermont counties to help families remove barriers to secure sustainable income and achieve financial stability through short-term assistance and support, coaching, workforce development and other resources. This program is reasonably designed to meet TANF purposes one and two by providing flexible, tailored, family-driven approaches to financial stability, and applies learning from each family’s experience to systemic solutions that support long-term success. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
Bethany House Services A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors This initiative supports Neighbors Helping Neighbors with the cost of implementing or improving their current food distribution to eligible individuals and families. This initiative is designed to reasonably achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
African American Male Wellness Agency This initiative supports the Calling All Dads program. The project encourages the formation and maintenance of two-parent families by actively engaging fathers in the childcare process. The project aims to empower fathers and equip them with the necessary support and resources to actively participate in their children's lives, contributing to positive family dynamics. Through various activities, the project promotes father involvement and enhanced parenting skills, fostering stronger family bonds.This program is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose three. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
Best Buddies Ohio This initiative supports the delivery and expansion of inclusion services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing friendship and leadership development opportunities. The project supports school-based chapters at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges in providing activities to engage students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their typical peers in one-to-one friendships to deliver inclusive activities, and provide leadership training opportunities. This program is reasonably designed to meet TANF purposes two and three as the after school activities facilitate social connections and help develop peer relationships. Interpersonal relationships are a critical factor in a person’s well-being and are especially important for people with IDD in preparing them to live independently beyond their school career. A pregnant person, parent,
22 custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. MY Project USA This initiative provides mentoring, leadership, and literacy programming for at-risk youth. This program is reasonably designed to meet TANF purpose two. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
HEART Food Pantry This initiative supports the Heart Food Pantry, Inc. with the cost of implementing or improving their current food distribution to eligible individuals and families. This initiative is designed to reasonably achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services.
Hilliard Community Assistance Council This initiative supports the Hilliard Food Pantry with the cost of implementing or improving their current food distribution to eligible individuals and families. This initiative is designed to reasonably achieve outcomes under TANF purpose one. A pregnant person, parent, custodian or noncustodial parent of a minor child(ren) who resides in Ohio, whose household income is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level and is a U.S. Citizen or meets a citizenship exemption, is eligible for these TANF Services. Child Care Subsidy Program In Ohio, Federal TANF funds may specifically be used to support Ohio's state child care subsidy program in the provision of services to: • OWF families, and • Low-income employed families with incomes that are at or below the state established income ceiling at the time of application for child care subsidy services and at each redetermination for such services. While the state has the authority to adjust income ceilings in order to manage child care expenditures, per state statute, the ceilings can never exceed 200% of the federal poverty level for the child care subsidy program. This program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose two. Early Childhood Education This program is administered by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). It provides funding to city, local, exempted village, joint vocational school districts, or Educational Service Centers to provide preschool services for 3 and 4 year old children of income eligible families. The target population served by this program are eligible children who are at least three years of age, not of the age to be eligible for kindergarten, and with family income of 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Children from low- income families without preschool may fall behind their peers, which creates an environment for future
23 educational instability, poor choices related to appropriate adolescent growth, and risky behaviors including premarital sex and childbirth. The program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purposes three and four. Expenditures for this program are claimed by the TANF program as MOE, in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding between ODJFS and ODE, under which ODE provides data to ODJFS on the number of children served.
Benefit Bridge The Benefit Bridge program is designed to help families and individuals who experience a reduction or loss of public assistance benefits due to wage increases continue their path to self-sufficiency and end dependency on public assistance. The Benefit Bridge is an 18-month program that helps families and individuals navigate the cliff effect by providing them with life skills, career skills, financial literacy, and, in some cases, emergency monetary assistance, to ensure they have the supports and stability they need to maintain employment, gain skills to move into higher paying positions, and become self- sufficient. The program is funded with TANF and General Revenue Funds (GRF). The program is reasonably expected to achieve outcomes under TANF purpose two.
Additional Provisions Fair & Equitable Treatment Ohio determines eligibility and delivers benefits in a manner consistent with 42 U.S.C. §602(a)(1)(B)(iii). All applicants and participants are treated in a fair and equitable manner, including those who move to Ohio from another state, those participants who have been adversely affected and claim hearing rights, and, to the extent allowable under Federal law, legal aliens who are not United States citizens. An appellant who appeals under Federal or State law a decision or order of a CDJFS, shall be granted a state hearing by ODJFS at the appellant's request. A state hearing decision is binding upon the agency and department, unless reversed or modified on appeal to the director of ODJFS or a court of common pleas. An appellant who disagrees with a state hearing decision may make an administrative appeal to the director of ODJFS, who shall review it and may affirm, modify, remand, or reverse the state hearing decision. Inalienability and Exempt from Execution OWF and benefits and services provided under the PRC program are inalienable whether by way of assignment, charge or otherwise and exempt from execution, attachment, garnishment, and other like process. Applicability of other Federal Laws Under §408(d) of the Social Security Act, the following provisions of law apply to any program or activity funded with TANF funds: (1) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975; (2) §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (3) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and (4) Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The limitation on federal regulatory and enforcement authority at §417 of the Act does not limit the effect of other federal laws, including federal employment laws (such as the FLSA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), unemployment insurance (UI) and nondiscrimination laws. These laws apply to TANF beneficiaries in the same manner as they apply to other workers.
24 Confidentiality Provisions Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §602(a)(1)(A)(iv), ODJFS takes steps to ensure the confidentiality of all information collected in Ohio's TANF-funded programs. Under the guidelines established that govern Ohio's TANF plan, no person or government entity shall solicit, disclose, receive, use or knowingly permit or participate in the use of any information regarding a TANF client for any purpose not directly connected with the administration of the TANF program, except that to the extent permitted under Federal law, the State will: • Release information regarding a TANF recipient for purposes directly connected to the administration of the TANF program to a government entity responsible for administering TANF; • To the extent permitted by federal law, ODJFS and CDJFS shall provide TANF information, except information directly related to the receipt of medical assistance or medical services, for purposes of investigations, prosecutions, and criminal and civil proceedings that are within the scope of the law enforcement agencies' official duties; • Provide, for purposes directly connected to the administration of a program that assists needy individuals with the costs of public utility services, information regarding a recipient of TANF to an entity administering the public utility services program; • Provide information to the following persons: the recipient, an authorized representative, a legal guardian of the recipient, and the attorney of the recipient, if the attorney has the recipient's written authorization; and • Provide information only in accordance with the written authorization. To the extent permitted under federal law, the State may do both of the following: • Release information about a TANF recipient, if the recipient or the recipient's guardian gives voluntary, written authorization; and • Release information regarding a TANF recipient to a state, federal, or federally assisted program that provides cash or in-kind assistance or services directly to individuals based on need, or for the purpose of protecting children to a government entity responsible for administering a children’s protective services program. Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancies Ohio’s goal is to reduce the number of out-of-wedlock births by at least 1% per year. Ohio hopes to achieve this reduction through a number of initiatives. Because Ohio’s LEAP program works closely with the teen parent population, another desired outcome of the LEAP program is the reduction of teen births and out-of-wedlock births. The CDJFS participate in a community planning process to determine the specific needs of their communities and address those needs through the CDJFS PRC plans. As a result of this process, many CDJFS have developed relationships with local health departments and other agencies to develop strategies aimed to reduce the number of out-of-wedlock births.
25 Better access to Medicaid services through outreach also contributes to this reduction. Statutory Rape Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §602(a)(1)(A)(vi), the State operates a public outreach program related to statutory rape. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office provides Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding to programs that collaborate with community agencies to best respond to victims of sexual assault. These programs include those that address sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and services for men and women. Additionally, when offered, this program is designed to reach State and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, that provides education and training on the problem of statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be expanded in scope to include men. The Ohio Attorney General’s (AG) Office, Crimes Victims Services Section, is responsible for the administration of the State Victims Assistance Act (SVAA) and the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant programs. The funds are provided to eligible crime victims assistance programs operating in public and non-profit agencies throughout the state of Ohio. Treatment of Individuals Moving from Other States For the purposes of benefits and services offered under Ohio's TANF-funded programs, Ohio treats individuals who have moved from other states within the last twelve months no differently from residents who have resided in the state for more than twelve months. Ohio’s Long-Term Direct Service Workforce Initiative Ohio does not intend to assist individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment providing direct care in a long-term care facility or in other occupations related to elder care determined appropriate by the State for which the State identifies an unmet need for service personnel. Treatment of Aliens ODJFS provides OWF cash assistance, PRC and other TANF-funded services and benefits to qualified aliens to the extent allowable under Federal law, and in the same manner as they are provided to residents of Ohio. Access to TANF Benefits In order to prevent assistance provided under its TANF program from being used in any electronic benefit transfer transaction in any liquor store; casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or any retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment, the State of Ohio will implement the following policies and procedures: Notice Ohio has modified certain notices and informational materials to ensure that applicants and current recipients are aware of the prohibition: each approval notice for TANF benefits includes a statement that accessing benefits at any of the prescribed locations is prohibited. Applicants and re-applicants are provided notice that accessing benefits at any of the prescribed locations is prohibited.
26 Outreach The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is partnering with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control and the Ohio Casino Commission to identify and educate impacted vendors and retailors on the prohibition. To ensure that TANF recipients have adequate access to their cash assistance with minimal fees or charges, including an opportunity to access assistance with no fee or charges, and are provided information on applicable fees and surcharges that apply to electronic fund transactions involving the assistance, and that such information is made publicly available, the State of Ohio has implemented the following policies and procedures: • Assistance groups are given the option to receive benefits by direct deposit into their personal bank account, or they may receive the benefits on a state-issued electronic payment card (Ohio EPPICard). • Assistance groups that choose to have their benefits issued on the Ohio EPPICard have a number of options to access their benefits. Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by 42 U.S.C. 608(a), assistance groups can use their Ohio EPPICard to make purchases at any business that accepts MasterCard. Many businesses also provide "cash back" with a purchase. Assistance groups that require cash for purposes other than purchases can also go to any MasterCard member bank or credit union location nationwide to withdrawal cash without a fee. Assistance groups are also able to use an ATM to access their benefits but will incur a small fee for each withdrawal. Assistance groups are advised that ATMs should be used as an option of last resort to avoid incurring fees. • Assistance groups that chose to receive their benefits on the Ohio EPPICard are provided information about fees and surcharges and how to avoid them: during application and reapplication; with informational materials included with the Ohio EPPICard when it is first sent to the assistance group; and through 24 hour-a-day support by phone (1-866-320-8822) or on the internet (www.eppicard.com). Family Supports The following support services are offered to individuals to help them maintain their jobs: • Medicaid Eligibility. To the extent allowed by law, Medicaid eligibility is aligned with eligibility for the OWF program so that all participants have access to quality health care. Additionally, many families who are diverted or sanctioned from public assistance may still be eligible for Medicaid. • Transportation. OWF work participants must have access to employment opportunities in order to successfully enter and remain in the labor force. For this reason, state law requires each board of county commissioners to develop a written transportation plan that establishes policies regarding the transportation needs of low-income residents of the county seeking or striving to retain employment. In developing the transportation plan, the board is required to consult with various entities within the county including the CDJFS.
27 • Child Care Assistance. Reliable child care is essential for families to obtain and retain long-term employment. In addition, families participating in employment and training programs require child care assistance. For these reasons, OWF participants with children under 13 years old are eligible for subsidized child care, with the subsidies varying according to the income of the assistance group. Child care is guaranteed to OWF participants and to families who leave OWF for employment for up to one year, or until their income exceeds 300% of the federal poverty level. All families with incomes up to the state established income ceiling may be eligible for non-guaranteed child care assistance. The state child care subsidy program is funded with Ohio General Revenue, CCDF, TANF and SSBG funds. • SNAP. Participating OWF assistance groups are considered categorically eligible for participation in the Ohio SNAP program. Additionally, individuals leaving OWF may continue to be eligible if their income remains below 130% of the federal poverty level and they meet all other eligibility criteria of the SNAP program. Ohio expanded categorical eligibility to cover the four purposes of the TANF block grant in accordance with 7 CFR § 273.2(j)(2)(i)(C). • Service Integration. The CDJFS are proactively involved in local service integration to serve TANF eligible families. Each county is required by Ohio law to have a Family Services Planning Committee to provide advice to County Commissioners on implementation, administration, and evaluation of social service programs in the county. In addition, each county is encouraged to engage in a community planning process. These efforts are designed to help counties determine the needs in the county and to develop goals and strategies necessary to serve those needs and meet those goals. These efforts are intended to link public and private service providers with needs of low-income families and employers.
Section III GOVERNANCE State-County Relationship With the provision of TANF-funded services (i.e., OWF and PRC) in Ohio, each Board of County Commissioners is provided TANF allocations that must be used in accordance with state administrative rules. State administrative rules require counties to follow all applicable federal and state law including, but not limited to, federal regulations and Office of Management and Budget circulars. The purpose of the state administrative rules is to establish requirements governing reporting, cash management, audits, allowable use of funds, and other requirements to provide accountability for the use of financial assistance awarded by ODJFS. Community Plans Each Board of County Commissioners must establish a County Family Services Planning Committee to address the service needs of the county and make recommendations to the County Commissioners. The Planning Committee is encouraged to develop a County Community Plan designed to identify the county's goals, objectives under the OWF, and PRC programs, as well as the strategies that the county will utilize in achieving desired outcomes. While the plan is the end product and ultimately becomes the
28 county's road map, it is the planning process that produces the greatest benefits for the community. The involvement of community stakeholders may maximize the utilization of resources and lead to consensus on strategies outlined in the plan. Other TANF-Funded Benefits and Services Ohio's other TANF-funded benefits and services are administered in accordance with respective interagency agreements or contracts. A more detailed discussion of these is provided in Section II.
29 APPENDIX A. Title IV-A State Plan in effect on August 21, 1996
Appendix A Title IV-A State Plan In Effect on August 21, 1996
ATTACHMENT 3-A PAGE I IV-A STATE OF OHIO CITATIONS 233.120 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN A. Kinds of emergencies covered. Situations in which lack of food, clothing, shelter, appliances, or medical supplies may lead to the destitution of a child. Also covered are situations in which a family is encountering an emergency that could lead, or has led, within the past six months, to removal ofa child from the famity’s home due to child abuse, neglect or dependency. B. Kinds of assistance provided to meet emergency situations. Emergency assistance payments may not be issued in a warrant payable to the recipient. Emergency Assistance payments may be in the fom ofa reliefsupply order or by warrant payable to the provider of the service. C. Kinds of service provided to meet the emergency situations. (1) Food - When there is no eligibility for food stamps. (2) Necessary clothing - Replace items lost or destroyed due to a natural disaster such as fire. flood, tornado, blizzard, or chemical disaster or due to a state of civil disorder as declared by the Governor of Ohio. (3) Household items - Limited to replacement of bedding. linens, and cooking/eating utensils lost or destroyed due to a natural disaster such as fire, flood, tornado, blizzard, or chemical disaster or due to a state olcivil disorder as declared by the Governor of Ohio. ApprvviI Elf tIv Daic O21f”J96 Daic 0710 I!)5
ATrACHMENT 3-A PAGE a IV-A STATE Of OHIO C. Kinds of service provided. (continued) (4) Furniture - Limited to the replacement of bed (bed frame. mattress, box spring) and kitchen table and chairs when lost or destroyed due to a natural disaster such as fire, flood, tornado, blizzard, or chemical disaster, or due to a state of civil disorder as declared by the Governor of Ohio. (5) Appliances - Limited to the repair or replacement of cooking stoves, heating stoves, refrigerators, and, if needed, due to a verified medical disability of a household member, washing machines. (6) Home repairs - Limited to those affecting the basic stmctures or the home including wall. roof flooring, plumbing, water supply, electric, heating, and water/sewage system. (7) Rent - When there is a court-ordered eviction pending or when the conditions of the home cause it to be uninhabitable. (8) Interest on principal of mortgage - Must serve to forestall foreclosure on the home. (9) Emergency Family Housing - Used only in extreme situations, when an individual/family is homeless and has no alternative living arrangement available, to provide temporary housing or arrange permanent housing. (10) Security deposits - Issued only when the landlord will not waive it and when the individual / family is homeless due to court-ordered eviction, uninhabitable conditions oithe previous home due to natumi or chemical disaster, living in temporary shelter, or tbreed to live in a domestic violence shelter. (11) Heating fuel and utilities - Includes any type of fuel used to provide heating ibr the home, electricity, water, cooking fuel. (12) Deposit for heating fuel or utilities - Issued only when the provider will not waive it and a deposit is necessary to establish, maintain, or restore service. LtJ11 Dtc 09 0 N l)ai. (1901 9-
ATJACHMENT 3-A PAGE I-b IV-A STATE OF OHIO C. Kinds of service provided. (continued) (13) Telephone installation - Issued only when medically verified as necessaly. (14) Medical service - Includes payment for medical supplies (hypodermic needles and syringes for diabetic, oxygen, catheters, etc). laboratory and x-ray services, pharmaceutical supplies (prescription drugs, insulin, no “medicine cabinet” items such as first aid supplies, vitamins. etc), licensed physician care (timited to the minimum appropriate procedure needed to relieve the pain), and dental care (limited to minimum procedure needed to relieve pain or infection. (15) Family preseivation/reunilication services - Includes diagnostic services, emergency caretaker services, home health aide services, home maker services, parent education services, in-home services, respite care services, special services for alcohol and drug abusers, therapeutic counseling, transportation services, domestic violence services, emergency shelter, post finalization services. See attachment 3-C for service definitions contained in Ohio Administrative Code Rule 5101:2-39-01. prrn.iI t Ftui q Oj tN )iw 19U I
A1TAcHMEN’r 3-B PAG[) tV-A STATE OF 01110 CITATIONS 233.120 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FMvIILEES WITH CHILDREN Other eligibility requirements are in elThct. I. Voluntary residence within the state with intent to remain permanently or for an indefinite period of time is a requirement. Residency may be established when an individual is not receiving assistance from another state and/or has entered the state with a job commitment or scelcing employment, 2. Co-payment is that portion of the cost of EA items for which the family is responsible. The net income in excess of the financial eligibility standard for the appropriate household size as set forth in attachment 3-D is considered available towards the emergent need. This is the income which remains after all deductions as set forth in attachment 3-D are allowed. In computing the amount of resources available for co-payment the first $50 is exempt. Any liquid assets of the assistance group in excess of $50 are considered countable resources to be applied totvard the emergent need as a co-payment. Liquid assets are those resources which are in cash or payable in cash upon demand. For EA purposes, liquid assets are those which can be converted to cash within the budget period as defined in state policy so that the funds are available to help meet the emergent need. The most common types of liquid assets are cash on hand, saving accounts, checking accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds. promissory’ notes, and burial accounts. The countable income and countable resources are added together to become the familyts co-payment. The co-payment amount is the limily’s obligation to pay towards the emergent need. The co-payment is then applied toward the emergent need to determine the amount of the FEA payment. If the co-payment is equal to or exceeds the emergent need, no FEA payment is made. If co-payment is less than the emergent need, the amount of co-payment is applied towards the emergent need and the FEA payment is issued along with the co-payment to meet the total amount needed to meet the emergency. ApprcEi F Da c I Ic I 1
A]TACKMENT 3-B PAGE I-n (V-A STATE OF OHIO Other eligibility requirements are in effect.(coni) 2. Co-payment may be waived upon approval of the CDHS Director or his designee in situations in which income anticipated to be received during the budget period must be used for payment of another bill which, if not paid promptly, would create another emergent situations. The co-payment requirement is waived in emergency situations that could lead to the removal of a child from the family’s home and in emergency situations involving the return of a child in substitute care to his family’s home. 3. In no instances will emergency assistance be issued to cover needs for mote than 180 days. ApproI I tkiv )ni ($)• I t)iIc IU I 4
AITAC[IMENT 3-C I’AGE I IV-A STAIEOFOHIO CITATIONS 231120 FAMILY PRESERVATION/REUNIFICATION DEFINITIONS AS CON TAiNED IN OHIO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 5101:2-39-01 I. DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES - Medical, psychiatric, or psychological services performed by a licensed physician, psychiatrist, psychologist. licensed professional counselor with clinical endorsement, or a licensed independent social worker for the purpose ofevaluating an individuals current physical, emotional, or menial condition. 2. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES - The provision of direct assistance to victims of domestic violence and their dependents for the purpose of preventing further violence. This includes services such as meals, transportation, housintz. information referral, legal advocacy, children’s counseling and supportive services. 3. EMERGENCY CARETAKER SERVICES - Services provided by a person placed within a child’s own home to act as a temporary caretaker when the child’s own caretaker is unable or unwilling to fulfill the responsibility. 4. EMERGENCY SHELTER- The short-term crisis placement ofany child who is threatened or alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent or an extent that there is imminent risk to the child’s life, physical or mental health, or safety. 5. HOME HEALTh AIDE SERVICES - Personalcare and maintenance activities provided to individuats forthe purpose ofpromoting normal standards of health and hygiene. Services are provided during periods ofdisability. illness, or in the presence ofany such condition that prohibits the individual from performing daily living tasks. This includes services such as assistance with bathing. grooming. walking. getting in and out of bed, and nutrition. 6. HOMEMAKER SERVICES - Professionally directed or supervised simple household maintenance or management services provided by trained homemakers or individuals in their own home. This includes services such as basic cleaning, shopping, laundry, food preparation, check-cashing, bill paying and any other such tasks as may be necessary to strengthen or enhance the individual’s or family ability to function in their own house. Appra1 F fttuvi. 1)alc 090 94 Da () ( I 4
ATTACHMENT 3-C rcji i. IV-A STATE OF OHIO 7. IN-HOME SERVICES - Services provided intensively to children and families in their own homes. The service is multi-faced, immediate, intense, thmily-oriented, and generally time limited. 8. PARENT EDUCATION SERVICES - A teaching process to assist a parent, guardian, or custodian in developing the basic skills necessary to provide adequate care and support to a child in his own home. 9. POST FINALIZATION SERVICES - Services provided and arranged by the PCSA and PCPA to support, maintain and assist an adoptive family after finalization of an adoption. 10. SPECIAL SERVICES FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSERS - Services to provide a rehabilitation program for alcohol and drug dependent persons. Service activities includes: Work with the individual, flimily members, and appropriate social service agencies to develop and carry out an individual rehabilitation plan. Providing or arranging f’or individual, family and group counseling. Services to assist the individual to recognize the danger of continued substance abuse. Providing or arranging for alcohol or drug detoxification medical services in a facility, including room or board coasts; not to exceed seven days. II. ThERAPEUTIC COUNSELING- Includes psychiatric or psychological services performed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, licensed or certified social worker or a licensed professional counselor to correct or alleviate any mental or emotional handicap or disorder ofu person. 12. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES - Arrange or provide transportation to and from needed resources and facilities. (It may include the provision of escort assistance). pprtmt1 1 1fcr..irc Dut Isfl1 ttc
ATTACHMENT 3-C PAGE I-b IV-A STATE OF OHIO 13. RESPITE CARE SERVICES - Services designed to provide temporary relief of child-caring functions which includes services such as crisis nurseries, day treatment, protective day care, and Volunteers or paid individuals who provide such services within the home and may include respite care for children placed in foster homes or with relatives. F. 9( 194 Dale 09:U I 193
ATfACHMENT 3-0 PAGf I IV-A STATE OF 01110 C ITAT JON S 231120 Financial Eligibility Chart The following chart is used in determining financial eligIbility for LA. Number in AssisUinee Group Financial Eligibility Standaid $368 498 3 627 4 757 5 886 6 1015 7 1144 8 1273 9 1402 10 1531 11 1660 12 1789 13 191$ 14 2047 15 2176 Add $129 to the financial eligibility standard for each person above 15, i.e., a family of 20 would receive $2821. Apniv.t1 F t1i’. 1 I L4 Dc III 1
ATtACHMENT 34) PAGE -u IV-A STATE OF OHIO Earned Income Deductions Deductions for work-related expenses may be allowed from the gross earnings of each employed assistance group member to arrive at net income. Because of the nature of EA, it may not always be possible to verify the exact amount of work-related expenses in a timely manner, Therefore, the amount of the work expenses to be disregarded is calculated by either one of the following methods: (I) If verification of work expenses is not readily available, the eligibility determiner will deduct the first $90 from the gross earnings. In addition. if there are child care costs, the actual charge up to a maximum of $1 75 per child or $200 if the child is under the age of two, is deducted. The $90 and $175 for $200 ifchild is under the age oltwo) disregards are not adjusted for part-time employment. (2) II verification of work expenses is readily available, the actual verified amounts which will be deducted from the gross earnings or paid by the individual during the 30-day period are disregarded from gross earnings. Following is list of the earned income exclusions to be deducted from gross earnings of each employed member of the assistance group when allowing the actual verified costs. This list is all-inclusive and may not be expanded: (I) Mandatory deductions of involuntarily withheld. income axes (tèdeml, state, and city), social security, compulsory retirement, unemployment, and disability insurance contributions. (2) Transportation to and from work. A mileage allowance equal to the amount which is reimbursed to state staff is deducted when the individual uses his own vehicle. (3) Child care costs. (4) Expenses for union dues involuntarily withheld. (5) Miscellaneous deductions required by the employer. Appri1 I 4Iii I)i. u’ 1I 4.3 4) 1Q fl 4
ATTACHM ENT 3-D PAGE I-b tV-A STATE Of OHIO Other Income Exclusions For the determination oF EA. there are two additional income exclusions. These may be excluded from either earned or unearned income. The amount ofthe exclusion is limited to the actual verified expense. The two additional income exclusions are: (I) Court-ordered child support and alimony when paid to an individual not included in the eligible assistance group. (2) Court-ordered garnisheed payments. I\pproI I lh.E Duw 11H.U Oc IN.OI ‘L