The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is amending rule 5101:9-6-47 of the Administrative Code to update the allocation formula for the SFY09 Help Me Grow (HMG) allocation. The new allocation continues to provide more equitable funding for counties and includes the previous four incentive factors with a slight increase in their percentages. There are revisions to the method used to distribute set-aside funds for both the two target factors as well as the two compliance factors.

A new factor, Tax Base, is being added to the funding formula that allocates HMG funds to counties with comparatively few financial resources available locally for their HMG programs. In addition to an increase to the minimum allocation, a cap on the maximum per cent increase is also established for SFY09. As outlined in section 3701.61 of the Revised Code, this program is administered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and only a portion is funded through ODJFS through the federal TANF Block Grant.

Attached is the Help Me Grow funding table for SFY09. The amount for SFY09 funds and the per cent each factor makes up of the total are listed below in the Allocation Calculation Table:

The total allocations by funding source are as follows:

TANF=$54,350,549

GRF=$10,814,837

Part C=$10,499,996

Further details are outlined in attached OAC rule 5101:9-6-47. ODJFS issues an allocation from the TANF portion; ODH issues the allocations from GRF and Part C.

Please direct inquiries to Tracey Bennett, TANF Inter-Agency Supervisor, TANF Inter-Agency Section at (216) 787-5876, ODJFS Fiscal Supervisors/Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance at (614) 752-9194, or Help Me Grow Regional Technical Assistance Consultants, Bureau of Early Intervention Services, Ohio Department of Health at (614) 644-8389.

Instructions: