Background:
These rules contain changes to implement the Child Care
Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014, caretaker communication and
outreach improvement. The Code of Federal Regulation Section 45 Part 98.33 requires
that families applying for publicly funded child care receive consumer
information regarding services available to their children. These rules refer
to the forms needed for the determination of eligibility for publicly funded
child care. Changes are being made to list all forms needed for eligibility
determination in rule 5101:2-16-30 of the Administrative Code and to reference
this rule in subsequent rules.
Additionally, ODJFS is preparing to deploy the first phase of
the child care online application, and these changes align to the online
application.
The following rules have been amended:
Rule 5101:2-16-07 "County agency
responsibilities for the administration of publicly funded child care" has been amended to remove reference to the JFS
01138 "Application for Child Care
Benefits;" the JFS 01121 "Early Childhood Education Eligibility Screening
Tool" and the JFS 01122 "Publicly Funded Child Care Supplemental Application" and instead reference rule 5101:2-16-30 for
the description of the application process. Language has also been added
stating that county agencies may designate an agency computer to assist
applicants in submitting an online application.
Rule 5101:2-16-30 "Eligibility
requirements for receipt of publicly funded child care benefits" has been amended to:
- Update the revision date of the JFS 01138; the
JFS 01121 and the JFS 01122 and to add language defining the application
process for publicly funded child care;
- Update paid employment to include maternity
leave, leave taken in accordance to FMLA and short term disability;
- Clarify that eligibility shall continue for a
previously determined eligible child after a child turns age 13, through the
end of the current eligibility period and that eligibility shall continue for a
special needs child after a child turns 18, through the end of the current
eligibility period;
- Amend language to clarify that the category of
authorization shall be maintained for the entire eligibility period unless a
change is verified to require an increase;
- Amend language to allow a thirteen week activity
gap to occur more than once in a twelve month period.
Rule 5101:2-16-34 "Income eligibility requirements for
publicly funded child care benefits" has been amended to remove references
to the JFS 01138, the JFS 01121 and the JFS 01122 as ways to apply for child
care benefits and instead reference rule 5101:2-16-30 for the description of
the application process.
Rule 5101:2-16-35 "County agency responsibilities for
determining eligibility for publicly funded child care benefits" has been amended
to remove references to the JFS 01138, the JFS 01121 and the JFS 01122 as ways
to apply for child care benefits and instead reference rule 5101:2-16-30 for
the description of the application process.
Rule 5101:2-16-35.1 "Caretaker eligibility requirements to
qualify for publicly funded child care benefits" has been amended to remove
references to the JFS 01138, the JFS 01121 and the JFS 01122 as ways to apply
for child care benefits and instead reference rule 5101:2-16-30 for the
description of the application process.
Rule 5101:2-16-36 "County agency responsibility for annual
re-determination of eligibility for publicly funded child care" has been amended
to update the revision date of the JFS 01124 "Redetermination Application
for Child Care Benefits."
Rule 5101:2-16-37 "Caretaker requirements for annual re-determination
of eligibility for publicly funded child care" has been amended to update
the revision date of the JFS 01124.
Rule 5101:2-16-39 "Copayment for publicly funded child care
benefits" has been amended to remove the provision that a copayment can
increase at the end of the continuation of eligibility after a loss of
activity.
The following forms have been revised:
JFS 01121 "Early Childhood Education Eligibility Screening
Tool" has been revised to provide a consumer education information
statement for applicants and clarify instructions.
JFS 01122 "Publicly Funded Child Care Supplemental Application"
has been revised to incorporate changes that clarify information needed for the
determination of eligibility including adding a field to capture a cell phone
number and permission to text that number.
JFS 01124 "Re-determination Application for Child Care
Benefits" has been revised to include detailed instructions on a cover
sheet to provide consumer education information which meets the requirements of
the Child Care Development Block Grant and incorporate changes that clarify
information needed for the determination of eligibility including adding a
field to capture the ability to text a cell phone number.
JFS 01138 "Application for Child Care Benefits" has
been revised to incorporate changes that clarify information needed for the
determination of eligibility including adding a field to capture a cell phone
number and permission to text that number and to provide a consumer education
statement for applicants on the cover sheet.
Implementation:
The new versions of the forms listed above shall be completed by
caretakers who apply for child care on or after the effective date of this
letter. Prior versions of these forms shall be accepted until November 15,
2017.