Income eligibility standards for child care and Early Learning Initiative (ELI) eligibility will be changed as a result of the annual increase in the 2006 federal poverty guidelines. Copayment amounts for these programs have also been revised due to the change in income standards. Several eligibility rules have been revised to clarify language and to update the monthly income standards in the appendices. Counties must use the new income eligibility standards beginning July 1, 2006 for all determinations of initial eligibility, for all twelve-month redeterminations and for all six-month reviews of copayments.

The department has revised two rules and proposed one new rule to provide policies for county staff and ELI providers for the determination and recovery of overpayments in the ELI program.

A new rule has been adopted that provides policies for the operation of the Child Care Advisory Council.

All of these rules are being processed through JCARR. If any amendments are made to them prior to finalization by JCARR, the amended rules will be sent in a separate letter. All of these rules will be effective on July 1, 2006. A numbered and signed Child Care Transmittal Letter will be distributed via the electronic manual after the rule-filing process is finalized.

Rule 5101:2-15-10 entitled Child Care Advisory Council sets forth the purpose of the council, the required membership, and council responsibilities. This rule was required by the passage of Am. Sub. H.B. 11 of the 125th General Assembly.

Rule 5101:2-16-07.1 entitled County Department of Job and Family Services Administrative Responsibilities for the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) sets forth the requirements of county departments of Job and Family Services to administer the Early Learning Initiative (ELI). It has been revised to add language for the determination and recovery of overpayments.

Rule 5101:2-16-30 entitled Program Eligibility Requirements for Publicly Funded Child Care

Benefits sets forth the requirements for the determination of income eligibility for publicly funded child care benefits. It has been revised to clarify language and to increase the income standards, listed in Appendix A, as a result of increases in the 2006 federal poverty guidelines.

Rule 5101:2-16-35.1 entitled Eligibility for Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Services has been revised to clarify language and to increase the income standards, listed in Appendix A, following the increases in the 2006 federal poverty guidelines.

Rule 5101:2-16-39 entitled Monthly Family Copayment for Publicly Funded Child Care Benefits has been revised to clarify language and to increase the income standards, listed in Appendix A, as a result of increases in the 2006 federal poverty guidelines.

Rule 5101:2-16-71.1 entitled Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Overpayments is a new rule that provides county staff and ELI agencies with policies for the determination and recovery of overpayments.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that needs to be removed from and inserted into the Child Care Manual (CCM).