The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is pleased to announce a joint effort to help meet the needs of children and families in Ohio. Thousands of children are at risk of not passing the 4th grade proficiency test if positive proactive steps are not taken. Therefore, this letter announces a collaborative programmatic response to this need providing assistance to both local school districts and county department of human services.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will make available Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) dollars to support expanded enrichment services to families up to 300% of poverty levels whose children have been identified and/or targeted for inclusion in the planned summer school program. These dollars are not to be used to fund actual summer intervention services but rather to provide children with enrichment opportunities before and after those services.
Funding for this program will be provided to county departments of human services on a reimbursement basis. Using the PRC guidelines for eligibility, program development, contracting, and expenditures, counties will provide services on a local basis. In order for this program to maximize services and benefits for the intended recipients, county departments of human services and local school districts will need to work closely together to develop the local programmatic and financial objectives in accordance with the county PRC plan.
The targeted audience for this initiative has been identified as children in kindergarten through grade six reading below grade level or those who are at risk of reading below grade level and who meet up to 300% of the federal poverty level.
All city, community, exempted village, and JVS school districts may apply. A county may apply on behalf of a consortium of districts. School districts must apply through their respective county department of human services and ODJFS will reimburse schools for providing services to families up to 300% of the federal poverty level.
Programs must be offered a minimum of thirty (30) hours within a consecutive two week time frame. This is in addition to any regular summer school offerings. While full day services are preferable, hours of operation should be based upon the needs of the local school district and community.
Program activities and design should be flexible, yet purposeful and geared to enrich core learning in reading and/or literacy, as well as to assist students in meeting performance outcomes. Allowable activities can include, but are not limited to:
- poetry writing
- play writing and drama
- field trips to public libraries and cultural events
- challenging word games (i.e., Scrabble)
- cooking, and
- gardening, etc.
Curriculum development and program activities should be developed in cooperation with a teacher to ensure enhancement of services and build upon the regular instruction; however, an on sitelicensed teacher is not required for this portion of the day.
Staff members may include paraprofessionals, volunteers, (i.e., OhioReads Initiative), parents, and/or a program coordinator. A 1:18 child/staff ratio must be maintained in accordance with ODE guidelines. Districts must hire staff in accordance with their local hiring policies.
County departments of human services will be reimbursed $18.00/child/day by ODJFS. County departments of human services will need to enter into a contract or memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local school districts outlining program specifications/design, staffing criteria, all aspects of billing and reporting procedures, and audit findings. The contracts or MOUs must be in compliance with county department of human services' plan guidelines.
The local school districts will pay all up front expenses and apply for reimbursement through their respective county department of human services. This code will be added to the next issuance of the ODHS 2827 Code List.
| Financial Reporting Form | Program Code | Class Code | Title | Definition |
|---|
| ODHS 2827 | 198 | 53 | Expanded Enrichment Services | Children in kindergarten through grade six reading below grade level or those at risk of reading below grade level and who meet up to 300% of the federal poverty level. |
County departments of human services should amend their county plans to reflect inclusion of the enrichment services/program.
Questions regarding this program and its implementation should be directed to your local account manager or the ODJFS Office of Fiscal Services at (614) 752 9194.