This letter transmits changes with the proposed effective date of November 1, 2003. This cover letter includes a summary statement of the policy change. The statement references the clearance control number (CCN) assigned when the policy change was placed in the clearance process.

This cover letter contains a "Technical Changes" section to provide corrections caused by typographical errors, printing errors, and inadvertent omissions. Technical changes do not go through the clearance process

5101:1-3-03 Ohio works first (OWF): residence and living arrangement requirement.

In 2001, the Prison Nursery Program was established by the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC). The program allows eligible inmates and babies born to them, while in custody of DRC, to reside together in the institution. A nursery has been set up at the Ohio Reformatory for Women at Marysville.

As set forth in revised code section 5120.651, an inmate is eligible to participate in the Prison Nursery Program if:

(1)she is pregnant at the time she is delivered into the custody of DRC;

(2)she gives birth on or after the date the Prison Nursery Program was implemented (3/15/01);

(3)she is subject to a sentence of imprisonment of not more than 18 months;

(4)she and the child meet any other criteria established by DRC.

Amended Substitute House Bill 95 revised section 5107.37 of the Ohio Revised Code to allow OWF payments for minor children residing with their mother who participates in a prison nursery program established under section 5120.65 of the Revised Code.

This rule is being revised to allow OWF payments for babies born to inmates participating in the Prison Nursery Program as established by section 5120.65 of the ORC. All other OWF eligibility factors must be met for these children to qualify for an OWF payment. The inmate would not qualify for OWF for herself as she is a resident of a prison.

Paragraph (A) of the residence requirement has a new level (4) added that states the child born to an inmate participant in a prison nursery program meets the OWF residence requirement.

Paragraph (B) (1) of the living arrangement requirement has a new sub-level (a) added that states the child born to an inmate participating in a prison nursery program meets the OWF living arrangement requirement.

Additionally, paragraph (B) (5) of the living arrangement requirement has the word 'custodian' removed since there cannot be two custodians at the same time. (CCN5089)

CRIS-E

A CRIS-E table change request has been submitted to add code 32: 'Prison Nursery Program', to the Living Arrangement Table (TLAR) as an acceptable living arrangement code on AEIID. Only the mother and child should be entered on AEIID, with the mother coded 02, public institution, and the child coded 32, prison nursery program. It has been discovered that an individual will pass for OWF, Food Stamps, and Medicaid when living arrangement code 02 is entered. A Service Request Form (SRF) has been written to correctly fail anyone in a public institution; until it is complete the CDJFS will need to FIAT as appropriate to ensure that the inmate does not receive inappropriate benefits.

TECHNICAL CHANGES

The JFS 06904, "LEAP - Learning, Earning, And Parenting Program Seven-Day Good Cause Notice" was revised and included in CAMTL #11/FSTL 250. The version of that form had text omitted. The form was corrected and made available via the ODJFS online forms listing in mid-August 2003. The hard copy of the form is included with this CAMTL.

INSTRUCTIONS