Ohio works first: learning, earning and parenting program

(a) Not eligible for the attendance bonus payment; and

(b) The assistance payment for the assistance group containing the LEAP teen will be reduced by sixty-two dollars.

(4) "Enrollment bonus" means a one-time one-hundred dollar financial bonus added to the OWF payment for the assistance group for each LEAP teen included in the assistance group who enrolls in school for the first time after being notified of LEAP program participation.

(5) "Excused absence" means the reason for the absence meets the school district's definition of a valid reason for the teen not to attend school or it was not an absence excusable under the school's attendance rules but upon review by the county agency at the request of the teen, it was acceptable under the good cause reasons provided in the LEAP program.

(6) "Full day" means the entire school day as defined by the school district.

(7) "Grade completion bonus" means a one-hundred dollar financial bonus added to the OWF payment for the assistance group for each LEAP teen included in the assistance group for each subsequent grade completed, except grade twelve. Grade completion is defined by the local school district.

(8) "Graduation bonus" means a one-time five-hundred dollar financial bonus for each LEAP teen included in the assistance group who has graduated from high school or obtained a high school equivalence diploma.

(9) "High school equivalence diploma" means a diploma attesting to the achievement of the equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores on the tests of general educational development (GED) as published by the "American Council on Education." High school equivalence diploma includes a certificate of high school equivalence. This program formerly issued the general equivalency diploma or GED.

(10) "Home education" means education primarily directed and provided by the parent or guardian of the child under division (A) of section 3321.04 of the Revised Code for the child who is of compulsory school age and is not enrolled in a nonpublic school.

(11) "Internet- or computer-based community school," as defined in section 3314.02 of the Revised Code, means a community school in which the enrolled students work primarily from their residences on assignments in nonclassroom-based learning opportunities provided via an internet- or other computer-based instructional method that does not rely on regular classroom instruction or via comprehensive instructional methods that include internet-based, other computer-based, and noncomputer-based learning opportunities unless a student receives career-technical education under section 3314.086 of the Revised Code. Internet- or computer-based schools are also sometimes referred to as "electronic schools," or "e-schools."

(12) "Retrospective cycle" means a four sequential month period. The four month period begins with the attendance month, followed by two processing months, and ends with the payment month.

(13) "School" means an educational program that leads to a high school diploma or the equivalent and includes the following: a public school; a private school; a vocational, technical, or adult education school; or a course of study meeting the standards established by the state of Ohio for granting a high school equivalence diploma.

(14) "School attendance officer" means an employee designated by the school who is responsible for matters relating to school attendance and truancy.

(15) "School district" means the territorial unit for school administration as specified in section 3313.64 of the Revised Code.

(16) "School year" for the LEAP program is September through May. These are the months that attendance will be monitored and enrollment/attendance bonuses and attendance sanctions will be given. This definition does not apply to teens enrolled in a GED program. The school year for GED program purposes is the twelve-month period beginning with the first month of mandatory attendance.

(17) "Unexcused absence" means the reason for the absence does not meet the school district's definition of a valid reason for the teen not to attend school and upon review by the county agency, at the request of the teen, the reason also does not meet any of the LEAP program good cause reasons.

(C) What is the LEAP assessment and orientation? All teens who are under the age of nineteen, who have not graduated from high school or received a high school equivalence diploma or equivalent, and who are not exempt from participation in LEAP pursuant to the conditions described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, are required to attend an assessment and orientation interview.

(1) The assessment interview shall include:

(a) A discussion of the LEAP program goals.

(b) The criteria for receiving the LEAP bonuses and sanctions.

(c) The types of educational opportunities available in the community.

(d) The types of supportive services available in the community.

(e) The rights and responsibilities of program participants.

(f) The determination of whether the teen meets one of the exemptions from participation as described in paragraphs (D)(4) to (D)(10) of this rule.

(2) Documents provided to and/or completed by the participant shall include:

(a) The JFS 06905 "LEAP -Learning, Earning, And Parenting Program Agreement."

(b) The JFS 06906, "Learning, Earning and Parenting Program

(LEAP) Questions and Answers."

(c) The JFS 06907 "LEAP - Learning, Earning, And Parenting Program School Information Release Form."

(3) Both the teen and the assistance group payee, when different, shall be given a copy of the JFS 06905 and the JFS 06906. The teen and the assistance group payee, when different, should be encouraged to sign the JFS 06905; however, the signature is not a requirement. The teen is subject to the requirements of the LEAP program even when the JFS 06905 is not signed. The county agency shall document in the assistance group record that a copy of the JFS 06905 and the JFS 06906 were given to the teen and the assistance group payee, when different.

(4) Section 5107.14 of the Revised Code provides that in order to participate in OWF, the minor head of household or each adult member of the assistance group shall enter into a written self-sufficiency contract with the county agency. When a county agency has adopted into its self-sufficiency contract as defined in rule 5101:1-1-01 of the Administrative Code, the rights and responsibilities and penalties for failure to comply with LEAP program requirements described in this rule, the JFS 06905 is not required to be completed in the LEAP assessment and orientation interview.

(5) The county agency shall assign a case manager to the LEAP program participant and the participant's family to assist the participant in promoting personal responsibility and in gaining self-sufficiency skills in order to reduce and/or eliminate dependency on cash assistance.

(6) Reassessment shall be an ongoing process. The teen shall be reassessed at least once per year. The county agency shall attempt to schedule reassessment when the teen is scheduled to enroll in the new school year. The county agency shall review with the teen, at a minimum, the JFS 06905. The reassessment interview shall serve to review school progress and to address any new barriers to continued attendance. No face-to-face interview is required to complete the reassessment.

(D) Who meets the exemptions from LEAP participation? A teen who meets any of the conditions described in this paragraph is exempt from LEAP participation as long as the teen continues to meet the exemption criteria. While exempt, the teen does not earn the LEAP enrollment, attendance, grade completion and graduation bonuses or attendance sanctions as described in paragraphs (G), (L), (P), and (M) of this rule. With the exception of teens who are under the age of eighteen who meet the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, all exempt teens under the age of eighteen shall be assigned to an alternative educational or training program defined by the county agency, in order to be eligible for OWF. In addition, all exempt LEAP teens who are age eighteen, except those teens who meet the exemptions described in paragraphs

(D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, shall be either assigned to an alternative educational or training program defined by the county agency or referred for participation in a work activity in accordance with the provisions described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code. The exemptions from LEAP participation are:

(1) The teen is the caretaker of a child under the age of twelve weeks old.

(2) The teen is excused from compulsory school attendance in accordance with section 3321.04 of the Revised Code for the purpose of home education.

(3) The teen is participating in an internet- or computer-based community school as defined in section 3314.02 of the Revised Code.

(4) Child care services are necessary for the teen to attend school, but child care is unavailable.

(5) Transportation to or from the teen's school is necessary and there is no public, private, or county agency supported transportation available.

(6) Transportation to or from child care is necessary and there is no public, private, or county agency supported transportation available.

(7) The teen is reasonably prevented from attending school by a physical or mental illness that is expected to last one month or longer.

(8) The child of the teen parent is ill with a physical or mental illness that is expected to last at least one month or longer and this requires full-time care by the teen.

(9) The teen is unable to attend school because the teen was expelled from school and another school or GED program is not available because:

(a) There is no public or private school or GED program within reasonable travel time or distance that will accept the teen; or

(b) There is a public or private school that will accept the teen but the tuition charge is prohibitive and the teen's school district refuses to pay the tuition.

(10) There are other exceptional circumstances that reasonably prevent the teen from attending school.

(E) What happens when there is a failure to meet an assessment or orientation requirement? Teens identified as potentially subject to LEAP program requirements, and who do not meet the exemption conditions described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, shall be scheduled for an assessment interview and orientation as described in paragraph (C) of this rule. Failure, without good cause to meet the assessment and orientation requirement will result in one of the following consequences described in paragraphs (E)(1) to

(E)(2) of this rule. When the county agency determines through available information that the teen is exempt as described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, neither of the consequences described in paragraphs

(E)(1) to (E)(2) of this rule shall be proposed while the teen meets the exemption.

(1) Teen under the age of eighteen A teen under the age of eighteen who is not exempt, as set forth in paragraph (D) of this rule, who fails without good cause to meet the assessment and orientation requirements is ineligible to participate in OWF until the teen complies. However, this consequence affects only the teen and does not affect the eligibility of the teen's child(ren),

(2) Teen who is age eighteen A teen who is age eighteen who is not exempt as described in paragraph (D) of this rule, and who fails without good cause to meet the assessment and orientation requirements shall be referred for participation in a work activity, in accordance with the provisions described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.

(F) Who shall enroll in and attend school or an alternative educational program?

(1) A teen under the age of eighteen who does not meet any of the exemptions described in paragraph (D) of this rule shall be assigned to enroll in and attend school.

(2) A teen under the age of eighteen, who meets one of the exemptions in paragraphs (D)(4) to (D)(10) of this rule shall be assigned to an alternative educational or training program defined by the county agency. A teen assigned to this activity does not earn the LEAP enrollment, attendance, grade completion or graduation bonuses, or the LEAP attendance sanctions.

(3) A teen who is age eighteen who does not meet one of the exemptions described in paragraph (D) of this rule shall be assigned to enroll in and attend school.

(4) A teen who is age eighteen who meets one of the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(4) to

(D)(10) of this rule shall be either:

(a) Assigned to an alternative educational or training program defined by the county agency. A teen assigned to this activity does not earn the LEAP enrollment, attendance, grade completion or graduation bonuses, or the LEAP attendance sanctions; or

(b) Referred for participation in a work activity, in accordance with the provisions described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.

(G) What are the requirements for school enrollment? Within ten calendar days after the assessment and orientation, a LEAP teen who does not meet an exemption as described in paragraph (D) of this rule and who is determined by the county agency to be required to enroll in school as provided in paragraph (F) of this rule, shall be required to provide proof of enrollment in a school. This time period may be extended up to thirty days when there is documentation that school arrangements are being made. When enrollment is not possible because school enrollment personnel are not available (e.g., school is not open for enrollment during the summer months), the requirement shall be delayed until compliance is possible. The county agency shall document any delay. A one-time enrollment bonus of one-hundred dollars is issued for each LEAP program participant included in the assistance group for the first enrollment following notification of the LEAP program requirements. The enrollment bonus is issued to the assistance group payee based upon the date of enrollment.

(1) When enrollment is verified prior to the beginning of the school year, the enrollment bonus shall be issued for the first month of the school year or for the month the teen is scheduled to begin attendance, whenever is later.

(2) When enrollment is verified after the beginning of the school year, the enrollment bonus shall be issued for the month that the teen is scheduled to begin attendance. When the teen is enrolled and attending school prior to the assessment and orientation, the enrollment bonus shall be issued for the month of assessment.

(H) What are the consequences for a failure to enroll as assigned? When the teen fails to provide enrollment verification as specified in paragraph (G) of this rule, the county agency shall send the JFS 06904 "LEAP-Learning, Earning, And Parenting Seven-Day Good Cause Notice" or the statewide automated eligibility system equivalent in order for the teen or the assistance group payee to provide good cause for having failed to provide enrollment verification. When the county agency subsequently determines that good cause does not exist, the county agency shall propose one of the following actions:

(1) A teen who is under the age of eighteen who fails without good cause to enroll in school as assigned, is ineligible to participate in OWF. However, this consequence affects only the teen and does not affect the eligibility of the teen's child(ren).

(2) A teen who is age eighteen who fails without good cause to enroll in school as assigned shall be referred for participation in a work activity as described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.

(I) How is school attendance tracked? The county agency shall request that the school attendance officer in each school that has a LEAP program participant enrolled to provide information monthly to the county agency about each participant's attendance. The county agency shall also request that each school make available the attendance records and other school records of a participant when requested by the county agency or other agency acting on the behalf of the county agency. The signed JFS 06907 "LEAP - Learning, Earning, And Parenting Program School Information Release Form" shall be provided by the county agency for each student.

(1) The Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) will mail the statewide automated eligibility system equivalent of the JFS 06903 "LEAP - Learning, Earning And Parenting School Absence Report" to each school each month containing the name of the LEAP program participant. The county agency shall request that the school review the actual attendance of the teen and to record the specific days the teen was absent and whether the absence was excused or unexcused. When the school monitors attendance by half days, the county agency shall request that any half-day absences be reported. The county agency shall request that the school forward the completed attendance information to the county agency to be received by the fifth calendar day following the end of the attendance month. When the fifth calendar day falls on a weekend or a state or federal legal holiday, the report shall be received by the next business day. The county agency shall review this information within five days of receipt.

(2) When the school that the teen is currently enrolled does not furnish the attendance information timely, and the county agency has not received information to the contrary, the teen shall be considered to have met the school attendance requirements in the attendance month.

(3) When the school does not keep daily attendance records, and the county agency has not received information to the contrary, the teen shall be considered to have met the school attendance requirement.

(4) The county agency may coordinate attendance reporting with the adult basic literacy and education coordinator in the county. To the extent possible, the adult and basic literacy and education instructor may be able to indicate the reason for an absence.

(5) When the school the participant is attending is not in regular session, including during holiday and summer breaks, or the teachers are on strike, the participant shall not be required to attend.

(J) How will LEAP attendance information be reviewed? The county agency shall review the attendance information provided by the school.

(1) When the information reported under the category of "unexcused absences" is greater than the number stated in paragraph (L) of this rule, the county agency shall send the JFS 06904 or statewide automated eligibility system equivalent to the assistance group payee in order to gain information concerning the "unexcused absences."

(2) When the total number of absences (excused and unexcused) reported exceeds the number of allowable absences and the number of unexcused absences is within the allowable limit, the county agency shall send the JFS 06904 or the statewide automated eligibility system equivalent to the assistance group payee to gain information.

(3) When the county agency determines that good cause exists for an unexcused absence, the "unexcused absence" shall be considered "excused" for purposes of determining if attendance requirements have been met. When the county agency evaluates the reasons for the unexcused absence and finds good cause does not exist, or when the assistance group fails to respond within seven days to the JFS 06904, the "unexcused absence(s)" will be used in the determination of an imposition of a sanction.

(K) How is GED and adult basic literacy education participation information reviewed? GED programs do not routinely capture information regarding the reason for a student's absence. For this reason, when the school reports any absences for a teen participating in a GED program, the county agency shall contact the teen to determine the reason for the absence. The county agency shall send the JFS 06904 or the statewide automated eligibility system equivalent. The teen or assistance group payee, when different, shall have seven days to respond. The county agency shall evaluate the reason given for the absence using the good cause criteria described in paragraph (N) of this rule and process the information as described in paragraph (Q) of this rule. When there is no response to the JFS 06904 or statewide automated eligibility system equivalent, the county agency shall assume that the absences reported by the school were unexcused absences.

(1) Teens enrolled in a GED or other high school equivalency program shall be required to attend classes up to the scheduled date of the GED test.

(2) The county agency shall attempt to coordinate attendance reporting with the adult basic literacy education coordinator in the county. Adult basic literacy education instructors may be able to indicate the reason for an absence.

(L) What is the LEAP attendance bonus? A sixty-two dollar bonus shall be issued for each month that the attendance requirement is met. The attendance standard shall be considered to have been met when the LEAP program participant has four or fewer total absences in a month with no more than two of such absences unexcused.

(1) Teens with two or fewer unexcused absences but more than four total countable absences in a month shall not be eligible for the sixty-two dollar attendance bonus payment.

(2) Teens enrolled in a GED program shall be required to attend the number of classes per month listed below in order to receive the attendance bonus:

(a) When classes are held five days a week, the teen shall attend all classes but four a month. No more than two of the total absences may be unexcused absences.

(b) When classes are held four days a week, the teen shall attend all classes but three a month. No more than two of the absences may be unexcused.

(c) When classes are held three days a week, the teen shall attend all classes but two a month. No more than one of the total absences may be unexcused.

(d) When classes are held two days a week, the teen shall attend all classes but two a month. No more than one of the total absences may be unexcused.

(e) When classes are held one day a week, the teen shall attend all classes but one a month. The absence shall be an excused absence.

(3) A participant enrolled in a GED program who misses more than the total number of allowable class absences but does not exceed the number of allowable unexcused class absences shall not be eligible for the sixty-two dollar attendance bonus payment.

(4) Absences shall be waived when the absence is the result of the teen's or the teen's child's illness or injury, when the illness or injury is verified by a physician's statement. The county agency shall waive an absence when there is documentation that the absence was a result of a medical appointment for the teen or the teen's child that could not be scheduled outside of school hours. The county agency shall document that the absence has been waived.

(5) The attendance bonus is added to the assistance payment and issued in accordance with paragraph (Q) of this rule.

(6) A teen who complies with the attendance requirements as described in paragraphs (L)(1) to (L)(2) of this rule shall be eligible to receive the attendance bonus as a part of the recurring OWF payment.

(a) A teen subject to mandatory participation who fails to comply with the attendance requirements shall be subject to a sanction as described in paragraph (M) of this rule.

(b) During the first three months of attendance in the school year, beginning with the month that the enrollment bonus was issued, the JFS 06903 shall be received and reviewed for compliance with the LEAP program attendance requirements. Issuance of the bonus payment or application of the sanction based on attendance shall be determined retrospectively.

(M) What is the LEAP attendance sanction? Teens with more than two unexcused absences in a month shall not be eligible for the attendance bonus payment and the assistance payment for the assistance group containing the LEAP program participant will be reduced by sixty-two dollars.

(1) For a teen enrolled in a GED program, the assistance payment for the assistance group containing the mandatory LEAP program participant shall be reduced by sixty-two dollars when the teen misses more than the total number of unexcused absences allowed in paragraph (L) of this rule.

(2) The teen or assistance group payee shall be required to report to the county agency within ten calendar days when the teen ceases to attend or officially withdraws from school. For a mandatory participant who has enrolled in school, and subsequently officially withdraws from school, one of the following consequences is applicable:

(a) For a teen who is under the age of eighteen, the teen is ineligible to participate beginning with the month following the month of withdrawal from school. The OWF payment for the assistance group shall be reduced accordingly. The prior notice requirements described in division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code are applicable.

(b) For a teen who is age eighteen when the teen ceases to attend or officially withdraws from school, the teen shall be referred to participate in a work activity as described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.

(3) The reduction in the OWF payment as the result of the mandatory participant having excessive unexcused absences will be applied retrospectively as described in paragraph

(Q) of this rule. The reduction in the OWF payment as the result of school withdrawal will be effective the month after the month of the withdrawal.

(N) What is considered good cause for non-attendance? A teen shall be considered to have good cause for not attending school in the following situations. The county agency may require medical or other verification for all of the following circumstances:

(1) The teen was ill, injured, or incapacitated and was reasonably prevented from attending school;

(2) The child of the teen parent was ill, or injured and required care by the teen;

(3) The child care ordinarily used by the teen was temporarily unavailable and no alternative child care was available;

(4) The teen had a scheduled or emergency appointment for medical, dental or vision care;

(5) The child of the teen had a scheduled or emergency appointment for medical, dental or vision care that required the presence of the teen;

(6) A family member was ill and required full-time care by the teen. A "family member" is defined as an individual related by blood, marriage, adoption, legal assignment

(foster parent) or is the other parent of the teen custodial parent's child. The family member shall live in the same household as the teen;

(7) A member of the immediate family died. "Immediate family" is defined as a husband, wife, parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, sibling, step-sibling, adoptive sibling, child, stepchild, or the other parent of the teen custodial parent's child. A maximum of five consecutive school days of leave shall be allowed;

(8) A more distant family member died. This includes cousins, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces. A maximum of three consecutive school days of leave shall be allowed;

(9) Transportation to or from the teen's school is necessary and the transportation ordinarily used was temporarily unavailable;

(10) Transportation to or from child care is necessary and the transportation ordinarily used was temporarily unavailable;

(11) The teen had a scheduled or emergency appointment at a court or the county agency;

(12) Other exceptional circumstance existed that reasonably prevented the teen from attending school.

(O) What happens when an individual fails to comply with their assignment? Teens who meet one of the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(4) to (D)(10) of this rule shall be assigned to an alternative educational or training program defined by the county agency, in order to be eligible to participate in OWF. Failure by the teen to comply without good cause with this assignment will result in one of the following two consequences:

(1) A teen who is under eighteen who fails without good cause to comply with the alternative educational or training program assignment defined by the county agency is ineligible to participate in OWF.

(2) A teen who is age eighteen who fails without good cause to comply with the alternative educational or training program assignment defined by the county agency shall be referred for participation in a work activity as described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.

(P) What are the grade completion and graduation bonuses?

(1) Grade completion bonus A one-hundred dollar grade-completion bonus shall be issued for each LEAP program participant included in the assistance group for each subsequent grade completed, except grade twelve, in a school or alternative school. Grade completion shall be defined by the local school district.

(a) The grade completion bonus shall be issued upon verification from the school that the LEAP program participant has achieved grade completion for the school year. The grade completion bonus is not issued in the retrospective cycle.

(b) Grade completion bonuses shall not be made for participants in adult basic literacy and education courses.

(2) Graduation bonus A one-time five-hundred dollar bonus shall be issued for a LEAP program participant who has graduated from high school or obtained a high school equivalence diploma. The graduation bonus shall be issued upon verification that the LEAP teen has graduated or obtained a high school equivalence diploma. The graduation bonus is not issued in the retrospective cycle.

(Q) What is the LEAP retrospective cycle?

(1) The LEAP retrospective cycle is comprised of four sequential months. The cycle begins with the attendance month, continues with two processing months, and ends with the payment month. The retrospective cycle remains in place throughout the school year. Attendance shall not be monitored for teens attending summer school. However, when the teen is enrolled and attending a GED program that begins or continues during the summer months, attendance shall be monitored and issuance of the attendance bonus or application of the sanction based on attendance shall be determined using the retrospective cycle.

(2) The following conditions relate to the application of the attendance bonus and the sanction:

(a) The attendance bonus shall not be issued when there is no OWF eligibility in the corresponding payment month.

(b) The attendance bonus and the sanction shall remain with the teen when the teen becomes a member of a new assistance group.

(c) When there is a break in OWF eligibility:

(i) When the assistance group was ineligible for OWF in a particular attendance month but reapplies and is eligible for OWF in the corresponding payment month, any bonus earned in the attendance month shall be payable in the corresponding payment month.