The department has reviewed and amended child care eligibility rules and forms contained in Chapter 5101:2-16 of the Administrative Code according to the provisions of the five-year rule review process. These rules govern the eligibility of families for subsidized child care benefits. The effective date of these rule changes is February 1, 2007.

The following rules have been amended:

Rule 5101:2-16-01 entitled Definitions for Eligibility for Publicly Funded Child Care Benefits has been revised to clarify language.

Rule 5101:2-16-07.1 entitled County Department of Job and Family Services Administrative Responsibilities for the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) has been revised to add language regarding use of the JFS 01154.

Rule 5101:2-16-30 entitled Eligibility Requirements for Receipt of Publicly Funded Child Care Benefits has been revised to change the title and to clarify the definition of a family.

Rule 5101:2-16-34 entitled Income Eligibility Requirements for Publicly Funded Child Care Benefits has been revised to change the title and to clarify language.

Rule 5101:2-16-35 entitled Determination of Eligibility by the County Department of Job and Family Services for Publicly Funded Child Care Benefits has been revised to change the title, to clarify language, to add a reference to a new form and to add language regarding the use of electronic signatures.

Rule 5101:2-16-35.1 entitled Eligibility for Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Services has been revised to clarify language.

Rule 5101:2-16-39 entitled Copayment for Publicly Funded Child Care Benefits has been amended to change the title, to clarify language and to refer to the monthly copayment in the context of the billing cycle for reimbursement.

Rule 5101:2-16-41.1 entitled Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Responsibilities for Reimbursement to Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Agencies has been revised to clarify language related to absent days.

Rule 5101:2-16-42 entitled Reimbursement Ceiling Waivers for Children with Special Needs has been revised to change the title and to clarify language.

Rule 5101:2-16-44 entitled County Department of Job and Family Services Requirements for the Purchase of Child Care Services has been revised to change the title, to reformat text and to clarify language.

Rule 5101:2-16-55 entitled Use of the JFS 01140 "Certificate of Authorization for Payment of Publicly Funded Child Care Services (COAP)" to Contract with Providers has been revised to change the title and to clarify language.

Rule 5101:2-16-71 entitled Child Care Improper Payments has been amended and reformatted to encompass the contents of the previous version as well as rules 5101:2-16-72 and 5101:2-16-73.

Rule 5101:2-16-72 entitled Improper Payments to Child Care Providers has been rescinded as the contents have been moved to 5101:2-16-71.

Rule 5101:2-16-73 entitled Recovery of Child Care Overpayments has been rescinded as the contents have been moved to 5101:2-16-71.

The following forms have been revised:

JFS 01138 "Application for Child Care Benefits" has been revised and reformatted.

JFS 01139 "Child Care Application Status and Summary" is a new form that is required for use by the CDJFS to document the status and summarize the activity on a child care application.

JFS 01140 "Certificate of Authorization for Payment of Publicly Funded Child Care Services (COAP)" has been revised and reformatted.

JFS 01151 "Notice of Child Care Overpayment" has been revised and reformatted.

JFS 01224 "Contract for Purchase of Publicly Funded Child Care Services" has been revised with new language in the introductory paragraph identifying eligible providers.

JFS 01231 "Request for Waiver of Reimbursement Ceiling for Special Needs Child Care" has been revised to correct a rule reference.

JFS 01154 "Early Learning Initiative (ELI)/CDJFS Request to Adjust 3299 Data" has been revised and the instruction page will no longer be a separate page.

The electronic version of the Child Care Manual is located at:

http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov The manual contains all rules, forms, transmittal letters and procedure letters that the department has issued to child care providers. A current version of this manual should be utilized by staff in all child care centers and type A homes that are licensed by the Department of Job and Family Services. A current and updated copy of the manual should be accessible at all times in the center or type A home.

Forms can be located at: http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/inter.asp. The department will notify all licensed centers and type A homes when forms are changed and the date of the change. When forms are obsolete they should no longer be used. The old version of the form should be removed and replaced with the new one. The use of current forms is necessary in order to be in compliance with child care licensing rules.

Please contact the Help Desk for the Office for Children and Families at 1-866-886-3537, option 4 if you have any questions.

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