This letter transmits revisions of the Title XX rules in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 5101:2-25 as a result of the five year rule review process. These changes will be effective January 1, 2004.

This letter also transmits revisions to the "JFS 01821 Title XX County Profile" and instructions. These revisions are a result of federal legislation (Federal Register/Vol. 64, No. 199/Friday, October 15, 1999) requiring that the Comprehensive Title XX Social Services Plan be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services 30 days prior to the effective date of the plan.

A brief explanation of each rule revision appears below:

Rule 5101:2-25-01 Uniform definitions of Title XX services and other definitions of terms used in Chapter 5101:2-25 of the Administrative Code was amended to update old language to new language, such as "Day Care Services for Children" to "Child Care Services for Children", "foster parent" to "foster caregivers", and to clarify that definition of foster homes includes homes operated by a relative of the child.

Rule 5101:2-25-02 Title XX administration was amended to update references from Ohio Department of Human Services (ODHS) to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Language was added to inform the counties when an application for Title XX services is needed and who is responsible for accepting the application.

Rule 5101:2-25-03 Title XX county profile is rescinded and adopted as a new rule with the same rule number. There were no requirement changes to the rule, but the rule was put into the order of the preparation process for the completion of the "county profile" by the county department of job and family services for the Final Comprehensive Title XX Social Services Plan.

Rule 5101:2-25-07 Title XX reimbursement dependent upon correct determination of recipient eligibility was amended to update the name of the Ohio Department of Human Services (ODHS) to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and clarification of the categories "Services for Free, Fee or Without Regard to Income". This rule also informs the county of its responsibility to establish eligibility standards or fee schedules based upon income level guidelines.

Counties still continue to have flexibility in the administration of their Title XX program.

For questions about this letter, please contact the OCF Helpdesk by phone at 1-866-886-3537 Option 4 or by email at: HELP-DESK-OCF@odjfs.state.oh.us.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials should be removed from and what materials should be inserted into the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM).