(A)For purposes of this rule, continuous improvement means a strategy to examine the current county department of job and family services (CDJFS) operations and processes to improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness of Title IV-A of the Social Security Act of 1935 as amended, food stamp assistance, or disability financial assistance (DFA) services to clients and customers. It will include steps to maintain and continuously improve results.

(B)CDJFS continuous improvement plans must include the following:

(1)An analysis that determines the causes for not meeting performance.

(2)Identified targets for improving results.

(3)Specified performance improvement strategies or action steps that are based on analysis.

(4)Projected time frames for implementing strategies and achieving results.

(5)Designation of an individual who is responsible to carry out the strategies or steps.

(6)Designated resources necessary to carry out the plan.

(7)Defined strategies to monitor and analyze the implementation, the results, and the accomplishments of the plan.

(8)A defined strategy to continually revise the continuous improvement plan based upon successes and new challenges and to continually assure improved performance.

(9)The elements specified in paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(8) of this rule may be modified as determined appropriate by the assigned outcome management supervisor subject to Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) approval.

(C)Voluntary continuous improvement plans

A CDJFS may develop a voluntary continuous improvement plan on any Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, food stamp assistance, or DFA program for which it seeks improved performance. The CDJFS voluntary continuous improvement plan must comply with the conditions defined in paragraph (B) of this rule.

(D)Required continuous improvement plans

(1)Beginning January 1, 2006, the The CDJFS shall be is required to develop and implement continuous improvement plans for Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, food stamp assistance, or DFA program measures as defined in rule 5101:9-10-01 of the Administrative Code, when the CDJFS:

(a)Does not meet a Title IV-A, food stamp assistance, or DFA CDJFS performance standard for the prior measurement year;

(b)Does not meet a Title IV-A, food stamp assistance, or DFA CDJFS performance standard as defined in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(3) of rule 5101:9-10-01 of the Administrative Code for two consecutive quarters. in the current measurement year; or, If the CDJFS performance is above the standard in the latest available two consecutive quarters, but below the standard on the measurement year at the time the annual performance rate data becomes available, Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) has the option to waive the criteria in paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this rule in the determination process of whether a continuous improvement plan is required.

(2)When ODJFS determines that conditions stated in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule exists, ODJFS will issue a notice to the CDJFS director that the CDJFS agency is required to develop and implement a continuous improvement plan pursuant to paragraph (D) of this rule.

(a)Within thirty calendar days of the issuance date of the notice, the CDJFS shall submit a continuous improvement plan to the ODJFS for review, approval, or disapproval by the assigned outcome management supervisor.

(b)Within forty-five calendar days of the issuance of the notice, continuous improvement plans which have been disapproved by the assigned outcome management supervisor shall be revised by the CDJFS and resubmitted to ODJFS for review, approval, or disapproval by the assigned outcome management supervisor.

(c)Within sixty calendar days of the issuance date of the notice, the CDJFS shall implement an ODJFS-approved continuous improvement plan.

(d)Failure to submit an approvable continuous improvement plan and failure to implement an ODJFS-approved continuous improvement plan will invoke corrective action as defined in paragraph (E) of this rule.

(3)CDJFS continuous improvement plans must comply with paragraph (B) of this rule.

(4)The ODJFS-approved CDJFS continuous improvement plan implementation will be reviewed by ODJFS on a quarterly basis.

(5)After two quarters of meeting the standard as determined by ODJFS, the CDJFS continuous improvement plan will not require monitoring by ODJFS.

(6)Requesting a review of a determination that a continuous improvement plan is required as defined in paragraph (D) of this rule:

(a)May occur if If a CDJFS has reasonable cause to believe that ODJFS incorrectly calculated data, as specified in rule 5101:9-10-01 of the Administrative Code, or failed to follow procedures as specified in this rule for requiring a continuous improvement plan was made in error, it may request a review of the decision in accordance with the following:

(i)Within thirty days of the issuance of a notice requiring a continuous improvement plan, the CDJFS must submit a letter and supporting documentation to ODJFS.

(ii)The letter and supporting documentation shall demonstrate that there were was a specific ODJFS errors error(s) in the calculation or procedures.

(iii)ODJFS may request additional information from the CDJFS in order to render a decision. The CDJFS will have thirty days to supply additional data if requested by ODJFS.

(iv)Within thirty days of receiving a complete request for review, ODJFS will notify the CDJFS in writing of its findings.

(b)Shall not be a reason to delay development or implementation of a required continuous improvement plan as defined in paragraph (D) of this rule.

(E)Corrective action

(1)A CDJFS that does not develop or implement a continuous improvement plan as defined in paragraph (D) of this rule may be subject to the corrective action requirements as specified in division (B) of section 5101.221 of the Revised Code. The corrective action requirements and consequences for non-compliance are defined in section 5101.221 and section 5101.24 of the Revised Code.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions in this rule, ODJFS at its sole discretion, may require a CDJFS to develop a corrective action plan in accordance with section 5101.221 and/or section 5101.24 of the Revised Code, and/or in response to a noncompliance finding by another state or federal agency.

(F)Continuous improvement assistance

ODJFS will provide technical assistance at the request of a CDJFS to assist in the development, implementation, and/or evaluation of a continuous improvement plan.