Pursuant to section 5101.1414 of the Revised Code, bridges is a voluntary benefits program with the intended outcome of an eligible emancipated young adult gaining skills to self-sufficiency. Bridges provides an eligible emancipated young adult assistance with stable housing, support to complete educational goals, employment resources, and access to community resources.

(A)A bridges representative must be contacted to apply for services.

(B)In order for an applicant to To be eligible for bridges, an applicant is to meet all of the following must be met:

(1)Attained the age of eighteen but not attained the age of twenty-one; and

(1)(2) Emancipated from one of the following: Upon attaining the age of eighteen, an applicant who was in the custody of an Ohio public children services agency (PCSA), or in the care and placement responsibility of an Ohio Title IV-E juvenile court, or in the care and placement of the Ohio department of youth services (DYS) and in a Title IV-E reimbursable placement setting.

(a)The custody of an Ohio public children services agency (PCSA),

(b)The care and placement responsibility of an Ohio Title IV-E juvenile court, or

(c)The care and placement of the Ohio department of youth services (DYS) and was in a placement that qualifies for Title IV-E maintenance reimbursement, excluding juvenile correctional facilities, upon turning the age of eighteen.

(2)An applicant has attained the age of eighteen but not attained the age of twenty-one; and

(3)An applicant has left the custody of a PCSA, or the care and placement of a Title IV-E juvenile court or DYS; and

(4)(3)An applicant satisfies Satisfies at least one of the following eligibility criteria as outlined in the JFS 01627 "Bridges Eligibility Acknowledgement Form":

(a)Completing a secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;

(b)Enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or vocational education;

(c)Participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;

(d)Employed for at least eighty hours per month;

(e)Incapable of doing any of the activities as described in paragraphs (B)(3)(a)(B)(4)(a) to (B)(3)(d)(B)(4)(d) of this rule due to a diagnosed physical or mental health condition.

(C)The applicant, with the assistance of the bridges representative, shall submit the necessary supporting documentation to verify eligibility criteria. Documentation may include but is not limited to any of the following:

(1)School or college enrollment letter;

(2)Current class schedule;

(3)Most recent employment paystub;

(4)Letter from job training program verifying participation;

(5)Written verification JFS 01628 "Bridges Disability Verification Form" completed from by a qualified practitioner stating how a physical or mental health condition prevents participation in activities described in paragraphs (B)(3)(a)(B)(4)(a) to (B)(3)(d) (B)(4)(d) of this rule.

(D)The bridges representative shall submit a completed and signed application JFS 01626 "Bridges Application", along with supporting  JFS 01617 "Bridges Voluntary Participation Agreement", documentation supporting eligibility described in paragraph (B)(4) of this rule, and a signed JFS 01627 to the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) for the approval process approval.

(E)An applicant approved for bridges participation shall sign a JFS 01617 "Bridges Voluntary Participation Agreement" pursuant to section 5101.1412 of the Revised Code. and be provided with the JFS 04059 "Explanation of State Hearing Procedures."

(F)Under certain circumstances, an applicant may be enrolled in bridges on a provisional basis. Provisional enrollment allows the applicant up to sixty calendar days to provide documentation that supports their eligibility.

(G)An applicant enrolled in bridges on a provisional basis is to be notified of ineligibility and subsequent termination from bridges as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-03 of the Administrative Code if supporting documentation to verify eligibility has not been submitted within sixty calendar days from the date of enrollment.

(H)A bridges participant must maintain continued eligibility which is to be reviewed by the bridges representative no later than every thirty calendar days but may be reviewed at any time. If a bridges participant fails to maintain eligibility, the bridges representative shall notify the participant in writing of ineligibility and possible termination from bridges as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-03 of the Administrative Code.

(I)If a bridges application is denied, ODJFS will send the applicant a JFS 01618 "Bridges Notice of Denial" and JFS 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form" no later than three business days after the application is denied. The denial notice shall inform the applicant of the reason for denial and the right to appeal the decision as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-05 of the Administrative Code.

Effective: 12/12/2022

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 2/7/2025

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 12/02/2022

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5101.1414

Rule Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413

Prior Effective Dates: 12/11/2017, 02/07/2020