House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly of Ohio authorized the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to issue the Ohio Sobriety, Treatment, and Reducing Trauma (START) funding to eligible public children services agencies (PCSAs).  The START funding covers expenses related to the children services initiative including staff time costs. Only PCSAs implementing the START program, are eligible to receive this funding.

This allocation consists of general revenue funds (GRF) and federal funds. The federal assistance listing number is 93.472.

Methodology

ODJFS distributes the START GRF budget to each eligible PCSA as follows: 

• A base amount of $60,000; and
• An additional $90,000 for each dyad per PCSA.

PCSAs may receive an advance of one-quarter of the GRF funding at the beginning of the fiscal year.  Unspent funds must be repaid.

ODJFS will communicate direct project codes via a Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance alert through the CFIS_HELP_DESK@jfs.ohio.gov.

ODJFS will communicate the funding and liquidation period through the county finance information system (CFIS).

Please direct questions regarding eligibility, allowable activities and reporting requirements, to the Office of Families and Children at HELP-DESK-OCF@jfs.ohio.gov.

For START fiscal questions please contact your ODJFS Fiscal Supervisor or the BCFTA Helpdesk at CFIS_Help_Desk@jfs.ohio.gov.