The Director of the Ohio Department of Human Services (ODHS) issues this Administrative Order for the purpose of extending the statewide child care enrollment period and establishing a statewide maximum expenditure limit for publicly funded child care benefits.

Under this Administrative Order all county departments of human services (CDHS) shall upon receipt of this order:

1.Continue to provide child care benefits to all newly eligible applicants of OWF, LEAP, Transitional and Protective child care benefits.

2.Continue to provide child care benefits to all current recipients of OWF, LEAP, Transitional and Protective child care benefits.

3.Continue to enroll for Income Eligible Employment and Training child care benefits, all Transitional child care families whose twelve months of child care benefits have expired and who are determined eligible for Income Eligible Employment and Training child care benefits and whose income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.

4.Continue to provide Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care benefits to all current recipients whose income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.

5.Continue to provide Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care benefits to all current recipients, whose income exceeded 150% of the federal poverty level prior to August 1, 1997, until 60 days after their current six month eligibility period. This continuation only applies to those recipients whose child care benefits were extended under Child Care Manual Transmittal Letter No.29.

6.Effective December 8, 1997 and ending March 31, 1998, enroll all newly eligible applicants for Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care, with gross income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Instructions for Implementation of this Administrative Order

In accordance with ORC 5104.39 and 5104.40, the following instructions are to be followed for the purpose of implementing this Administrative Order:

1.For initial determination of eligibility for Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care benefits, the CDHS shall refer to the maximum income levels at 135% of the 1997 federal poverty level. For initial determination of eligibility for Transitional child care benefits, the CDHS shall refer to the maximum income levels at 150% of the 1997 federal poverty level.

2.For redeterminations of eligibility for Transitional, Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care benefits, the CDHS shall refer to the maximum income levels at 150% of the 1997 federal poverty level.

If you have any questions please contact the County Technical Support Section at (614) 466-7762.