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 eligibility limit for publicly funded child care benefits.

Under this administrative order, effective July 1, 1999, all county departments of human services (CDHS) shall:

1.Continue to provide child care benefits to current recipients of OWF, LEAP and Protective child care who continue to meet the requirements established in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 5101:2-16.

2.Continue to provide child care benefits to current recipients of Transitional child care who continue to meet all the requirements established in OAC 5101:2-16 until twelve months of eligibility have expired or until their income exceeds, the lower of, 150% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income, whichever comes first.

3.Continue to provide child care benefits to current recipients of Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care who continue to meet all the requirements established in OAC 5101:2-16 and whose income does not exceed, the lower of, 185% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income.

4.Continue to enroll for Income Eligible Employment and Training child care benefits, families who continue to meet all the requirements established in OAC 5101:2-16 and whose twelve months of Transitional benefits have expired or whose income exceeds the lower of 150% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income and whose income does not exceed, the lower of, 185% of the federal poverty level, or 85% estimated state median income.

5.Enroll applicants for OWF, LEAP, and Protective child care who meet the requirements of OAC 5101:2-16.

6.Enroll applicants for Transitional child care who meet the requirements of OAC 5101:2-16 and who are eligible for any part of the twelve months of eligibility and whose income does not exceed, the lower of, 150% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income.

7.Effective July 1, 1999 and ending June 30, 2000, enroll all applicants for Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care who meet the requirements of OAC 5101:2-16 and whose income does not exceed, the lower of, 185% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income.

Instructions for Implementation of this Administrative Order:

1.For initial applications and redetermination of eligibility for Transitional child care benefits, the CDHS shall refer to the maximum income levels of, the lower of, 150% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income.

2.For initial and redetermination of eligibility for Income Eligible Employment and Training and Special Needs child care benefits, the CDHS shall refer to the maximum income levels of, the lower of, 185% of the federal poverty level or 85% estimated state median income.

1999 FEDERAL POVERTY LEVELS

*Indicates 85% estimated state median income. Federal regulations for the Child Care Development Fund limit income eligibility to 85% state median income.

Eligibility levels are established based on expenditures and funding availability and are subject to change. If you have any questions regarding these matters, please contact Child Care Services, County Technical Support at (614) 466-7762.