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APMTL 236 (TANF Web Reporting Tool: PRC Soft Services; OWF Support Services)
Administrative Procedure Manual Transmittal Letter No. 236
December 19, 2001
TO: All Administrative Procedure Manual Holders County Department of Job and Family Services' Directors
FROM: Thomas J. Hayes, Director, ODJFS
SUBJECT: TANF Web Reporting Tool: PRC Soft Services; OWF Support Services

Effective for the quarter beginning October 1, 2001, the Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) Reporting System has been modified to include OWF Support Services so that the reporting system can capture data on all TANF "soft services" non-cash assistance. The reporting system has been re-named as the "TANF Web Reporting Tool: PRC Soft Services; OWF Support Services" or TANF-WRT.

Most counties see no distinction between PRC "soft services" and OWF "soft" support services (ref. ORC 5107.66) These counties provide the same array of support services to OWF participants as the county has included in its PRC plan. Moreover, since the OWF support services are the same as the county's PRC services, those counties have already been reporting those services within the PRC categories of the Web Reporting Tool or in CRIS-E as appropriate. (OWF "hard" support services must be entered into CRIS-E.) For those counties, this modification to the TANF-WRT has NO EFFECT. Those counties should continue to report service data exactly as they have prior to this modification.

However, a few counties distinguish between PRC soft services and OWF soft support services. For those counties who distinguish between the two, an added drop down box will allow counties to select "OWF Support Services" and to report the services, expenditures and participants that are distinct to OWF support services. The service categories and subcategories are identical to those used for PRC reporting purposes. Beginning with services rendered on or after October 1, 2001, those counties need to report the data regarding OWF soft support services. These counties also have the option of modifying their PRC plans so as to incorporate their OWF support services. Counties choosing to modify their PRC plans to include their OWF support services may then report all services as PRC services and will NOT be required to submit distinct OWF support service data within the TANF-WRT.

Counties will find the "TANF Type" drop down box on the "CDJFS Data Entry" and "CDJFS Edit Entry" pages just ahead of the "Service Category" drop down box. The "TANF Type" drop down box will allow counties to select "OWF Support Services" or "PRC Services." Likewise, providers will find the same "TANF Type" drop down box on the "Provider Data Entry" and "Provider Edit Entry" pages.

Counties and providers need to understand that all soft services must be reported as either PRC soft services or OWF soft support services. A soft service should never be reported in both reporting types.

Questions regarding this APMTL can be directed to your local Account Manager or to Robert Colton, Human Services Reporting, Office of Research, Assessment and Accountability (614) 752-6688.

Attachment

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Remove page headed APM.5503.dated September 15, 2001, and replace with the attached page dated January 15, 2002 (APM.5610)