Background

On February 9, 2018 the bipartisan Family First Prevention Services Act was signed into law. This legislation requires residential facilities to meet the qualified residential treatment program (QRTP) requirements to receive Title IV-E reimbursable maintenance payments. States had an option as to when this provision would take effect. Ohio has delayed this implementation until October 1, 2021. After October 1, 2021, any residential facility that does not meet the QRTP requirements will not be eligible for Title IV-E funding.

QRTP Compliance Timeline

A residential facility that is certified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) or the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) must meet the QRTP program requirements as follows:

Compliance Support

ODJFS is providing a one-time grant opportunity to assist agencies in obtaining and maintaining compliance with the QRTP requirements. This funding will provide resources and supports needed to meet QRTP requirements, as well as support implementation of best practices to enhance agency programming and promote QRTP sustainability. Below is additional information outlining eligible agencies, the amount of funding available, and the allowable usage of funding for services and supports:

Eligibility:

Eligible Population:

• Child-serving ODJFS & OhioMHAS agencies (Children’s Residential Center, Group Home, Class 1 Residential, or Substance Use Disorder (SUD)) certified or licensed prior to October 1, 2020.

Ineligible Population:

• Agencies involved with enforcement in their residential program.
• Agencies not certified or licensed for the residential function by October 1, 2020. 

Maximum Amount Per Agency Size:

Allowable Funding Uses:

Permitted uses of the funding include:

1.Accreditation:

• Initial Accreditation of your residential program(s) with COA, JCAHO or CARF
• Reaccreditation of your residential program(s) with COA, JCAHO or CARF

2.Trauma- Informed Care:

• Transportation to attend trainings to support QRTP compliance (trauma-informed care, family engagement, etc.)
• Consultation or coaching to develop a trauma-informed organizational culture throughout your agency
• Development and implementation of state-sponsored or contracted training series with technical assistance
• Contract with an entity that could lead trainings and work individually with agencies via e-mail and phone after the trainings are provided, as needed

3.Nursing and Clinical:

• Costs incurred from developing an MOU or agreement for nursing and clinical requirement
• Legal costs incurred from developing an MOU or agreement for nursing and clinical requirement
• Consultation costs to develop a sustainable approach to address the nursing and clinical QRTP requirements

4.Family Engagement Activities:

• Transportation costs for the family to attend agency activities when possible (could be providing transportation with an agency vehicle, mileage reimbursement or gas cards for the family, etc.)
• Funds to assist with technological support to ensure skype or other video conferencing software is available
• Opportunity for a state-sponsored or contracted training series with technical assistance
• Reevaluation or possible redesign of how their program works, and staff responsibilities and training to ensure an emphasis on family engagement, etc.  

5.Discharge Planning and After-Care Supports:

• Additional staff duties to coordinate aftercare supports
• Transportation costs to provide or coordinate aftercare services
• Participation in SACWIS training
• Additional documentation requirements
• Additional Medicaid billing activities

6.Other Services and Supports as approved by ODJFS or OhioMHAS

Budget & Reconciliation

A budget must be provided prior to payment being authorized, and reconciliation will be required for each payment received. Programs should retain receipts, invoices and documentation for expenses. Reconciliation submission guidance will be provided by the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA).

Application

The menu of support application will open on October 5, 2020. An application may be submitted through March 31, 2021, or until funds are no longer available, whichever occurs first. Eligible facilities must submit an application through OCCRRA’s dashboard at https://registry.occrra.org/​.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials should be deleted from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and what materials are to be inserted in the FCASM.