Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program Rules
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5101:14-1-05 Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program: Individual Opportunity Plan and Activities
CCMEPMTL 1
Effective Date: March 24, 2016

(A)What is the individual opportunity plan?

Based on the results of the comprehensive assessment and individual service strategy, the lead agency and the program participant shall develop an individual opportunity plan. Individual opportunity plan has the same meaning as individualized employment plan in Section 305.190 of Amended Substitute HB 64 of the 131st General Assembly (6/2015).

(B)What information is included in the individual opportunity plan?

The lead agency shall utilize the JFS 03004 "Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program Individual Opportunity Plan" (3/2016). Information that must be included in the individual opportunity plan includes, but is not limited to:

(1)The dates or timeframes the individual opportunity plan will be reviewed and/or revised;

(2)The barriers to employment identified through the comprehensive assessment;

(3)The program participant's plan to overcome barriers and achieve the goal of self-sufficiency and employment, including but not limited to:

(a)Short term and long term education and employment goals, including identification of a career pathway;

(b)Appropriate achievement objectives;

(c)Appropriate services necessary to overcome barriers and to achieve self-sufficiency;

(d)Support for the individual to obtain a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma;

(e)Job placement;

(f)Job retention support; and

(g)Other services that aid the individual in achieving the plan's goals.

(4)A requirement that the program participant register with the OhioMeansJobs website (www.ohiomeansjobs.com);

(5)The services (including supportive services) the participant will receive; and

(6)Based on the services provided, one or more activities in which the program participant will engage. If the program participant discloses, has, or appears to have a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities, the individual opportunity plan shall include a description of each reasonable modification requested and made for the participant (if any) and the necessary referrals made to assist in obtaining additional services.

(C)What are the comprehensive case management and employment program (CCMEP) activities available to program participants?

Activities are assigned in order to ensure that program participants receive the appropriate service(s). Each activity must be connected to a service, and the available activities for program participants include, but are not limited to:

(1)Unsubsidized employment.

(2)Subsidized employment.

(3)Work experience.

(4)On-the-job training.

(5)Job search.

(6)Community service.

(7)Vocational education training.

(8)Job skills training directly related to employment.

(9)Education directly related to employment in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency.

(10)Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate.

(11)Internships.

(12)Summer employment.

(13)Job shadowing.

(14)Pre-apprenticeship opportunities. This includes programs or a set of strategies designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in registered apprenticeship programs and have a documented partnership with at least one, if not more, registered apprenticeship programs.

(15)Career counseling. This includes a facilitated exploration of occupational and industry information that will lead to a first, new, or better job for the program participant.

(16)Adult mentoring.

(17)Entrepreneurial skills training.

(18)Tutoring, study skills training.

(19)Job readiness training.

(20)Parenting classes.

(21)Life skills classes.

(22)Participation in an alcohol or drug addiction program certified by the department of mental health and addiction services under section 5119.36 of the Revised Code.

(23)Finding a home in the case of a homeless assistance group.

(24)Residing in a domestic violence shelter, receiving counseling or treatment related to the domestic violence or participating in criminal justice activities against the domestic violence offender.

(25)Attending English as a second language course.

(26)Mental health treatment.

(27)Rehabilitation activities.

(28)Financial literacy education.

(29)Other workforce activities.

(30)Activities within OhioMeansJobs.com.

(31)The learning, earning and parenting (LEAP) program for individuals required to participate in accordance with rule 5101:1-23-50 of the Administrative Code.

(32)For veterans with a significant barrier to employment, a referral to the disabled veterans outreach program (DVOP) specialist as part of the jobs for veterans state grant.

(D)Who will receive intensive case management in CCMEP?

As a result of the comprehensive assessment and individual service strategy, certain program participants will require intensive case management from the lead agency before the program participant is able to meaningfully engage in employment and training activities. In addition to engagement with the program participant not less than every fourteen days, the lead agency may provide intensive case management in accordance with its CCMEP program plan to program participants who require:

(1)A parenting class as part of a case plan with a public children services agency (PCSA);

(2)Alcohol or drug addiction treatment;

(3)Assistance in finding a home because the program participant is homeless;

(4)Assistance in obtaining services related to domestic violence issues, such as obtaining residence in a domestic violence shelter, receiving counseling or treatment related to the domestic violence, or participating in criminal justice activities against the domestic violence offender;

(5)Assistance reentering the workforce due to ex-offender status;

(6)Social security supplemental security income (SSI) case management including, but not limited to: filing an application, gathering medical evidence, and appeals;

(7)Mental health counseling;

(8)Dropout prevention and recovery service;

(9)Assistance in overcoming a basic skills deficiency.

(10)Assistance in transitioning from foster care; and

(11)Other services as determined by the lead agency.

(E)What shall a program participant commit to do while in CCMEP?

A program participant shall:

(1)Be committed to participating in CCMEP for a minimum of twenty hours per week.

(a)Based on the individual service strategy developed with the program participant, the lead agency may consider time spent in activities, case management, homework, travel time, etc. as part of the program participant's hours of commitment.

(b)In accordance with rule 5101:1-3-12 of the Administrative Code, an Ohio works first (OWF) recipient may not be assigned to community service or a work experience program in excess of the maximum monthly hours of participation allowable under the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938).

(2)Be actively engaged in developing the individual service strategy, utilizing CCMEP services and maintaining communication with the lead agency.

(F)For how long shall the lead agency provide CCMEP services to a program participant?

The lead agency shall provide CCMEP services to a program participant for the amount of time necessary to ensure successful preparation to enter post-secondary education and/or unsubsidized employment. There is no time limit on participation in CCMEP or required sequence of services. Prior to ending an activity assigned in accordance with paragraph (C) of this rule due to a durational limitation of the connected service that is based on a funding source, local, state or federal policy, the lead agency shall:

(1)Explore if the program participant may continue in the assigned activity through an alternative CCMEP service; or

(2)If the existing CCMEP service may be continued in spite of the limitation and without interruption by utilizing an alternative funding source.

(G)How are CCMEP assignments different for mandatory OWF participants?

(1)A mandatory OWF participant shall be assigned to participate in CCMEP for the number of hours required in paragraph (E) of this rule or paragraph (C) of rule 5101:1-3-12 of the Administrative Code, whichever is higher.

(2)A mandatory OWF participant shall be assigned to activities in accordance with paragraph (C) of this rule and not in accordance with rule 5101:1-3-12 of the Administrative Code and its supplemental rules.

(3)A mandatory OWF participant that is subject to the LEAP requirements described in rule 5101:1-23-50 of the Administrative Code shall be assigned to participate in LEAP.

(4)When a mandatory OWF participant fails or refuses without good cause to comply with the terms of an individual opportunity plan, the lead agency shall notify the county department of job and family services of each failure or refusal. and shall provide the county department of job and family services with information necessary to impose a sanction in accordance with rule 5101:1-3-15 of the Administrative Code. When a program participant is subject to a sanction the lead agency shall:

(a)Be the sole determiner of good cause; and

(b)Participate in the state hearings process in accordance with division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code.

(H)What are the good cause criteria?

Good cause reasons are limited to the following:

(1)Illness of the program participant or of another family member related by blood, marriage or adoption, living in the same household, if care by the program participant was necessary.

(2)For either the program participant or a family member living in the same household, a previously scheduled appointment necessary for medical, dental, or vision care.

(3)A previously scheduled job interview for a program participant, including any subsequent interviews and/or testing requirements.

(4)Court ordered appearances.

(5)Appointment with another social service agency or program.

(6)Death in the family, with the length of absence to be determined by the lead agency. "Family" is defined as spouse, domestic partner (domestic partner is defined as one who stands in place of a spouse and who resides with the program participant), child, grandchild, parents, grandparents, siblings, stepchild, stepparent, step-siblings, great-grandparents, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or legal guardian or other person who stands in the place of a parent.

(7)A school, place of work or worksite is closed for the day.

(8)Lack of child care.

How is lack of child care determined?

In determining if good cause exists, the lead agency shall determine if child care is a necessary supportive service when a single custodial parent caring for a minor child under age six proves a demonstrated inability for one or more of the following reasons:

(a)Unavailability of a licensed or certified child care provider within a reasonable distance from the parent's home or work site. "Reasonable distance" is defined by each county agency and is based on availability of transportation.

(b)Unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or other arrangements. "Unsuitability of informal child care" is a decision made by the lead agency and is based on information received from the PCSA that the PCSA determines is relevant to share with the lead agency in order to protect children pursuant to rule 5101:2-33-21 of the Administrative Code.

(c)Unavailability of appropriate and affordable formal child care arrangements. "Affordable child care arrangements" means that program participants are guaranteed eligibility for child care subsidy with copayments based on family size and income.

(9)A failure of the lead agency to provide supportive services.

(10)A failure of the lead agency to provide the program participant with all information necessary about the assignment.

(11)Circumstances involving domestic violence which make it difficult for the individual to comply in full with a provision of the individual opportunity plan.

(12)Other circumstances determined on a case by case basis by the lead agency.

Effective: 03/24/2016

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 03/24/2021

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 03/14/2016

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: Section 305.190 of Am. Sub. HB 64 of the 131st General Assembly

Rule Amplifies: Section 305.190 of Am. Sub. HB 64 of the 131st General Assembly