(A)Conflict with Revised Code

(1)Section (5) of Amended Substitute Senate Bill 238 of the 126th General Assembly (09/06) sets forth the following provision: Not later than September 30, 2006, the director of job and family services shall adopt rules as necessary for the state to comply with 42 U.S.C. 607(i)(2) (08/96). If necessary to bring the state into compliance with 42 U.S.C. 607(i)(2) (08/96), the rules may deviate from Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code. Rules adopted under this section that govern financial and other administrative requirements applicable to the department of job and family services and county departments of job and family services shall be adopted in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code as if they were internal management rules. All other rules adopted under this section shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2)The county department of job and family services (CDJFS) agency shall administer the work activity programs in accordance with the requirements contained in this rule and not in accordance with sections 5107.40 and 5107.50 of the Revised Code.

(3)All applicable requirements contained in the Revised Code sections referenced in paragraph (A)(2) of this rule have been incorporated in this rule.

(B) Definition and requirementsWhat is the definition of job search and job readiness assistance?

(1)Job search and job readiness assistance means the act of seeking or obtaining employment, preparation to seek or obtain employment, including life skills training, and substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or rehabilitation activities. Treatment or therapy must be determined to be necessary and documented by a qualified medical, substance abuse, or mental health professional.

(2)A CDJFS may assign a work eligible individual applying for Ohio works first (OWF) to the job search and job readiness assistance program before the applicant's eligibility for OWF is determined. A participant may be assigned for either the total or partial required hours of participation.

(3)Travel time to and from work sites does not count toward the participation requirements. However, the time an individual spends in job search and job readiness assistance traveling between multiple interviews may be counted in the hours of participation.

(4)(2)The following activities do not meet the definition of job search and job readiness assistance:

(a)Child's dental checkups, immunizations, and school attendance;

(b)Parenting skills training;

(c)Participating in head start;

(d)Personal care;

(e)Activities that promote a healthier lifestyle, such as smoking cessation.

(5)(3)A CDJFS county agency may utilize the services of private and governmental entities under contract with the CDJFScounty agency in operating the program.

(C)LimitationsWhat are the limitations in counting job search and job readiness assistance participation hours toward the federal work participation rate?

(1) An individual's participation in job search and job readiness assistance counts for a maximum of six weeks in the preceding twelve months.

(2)Travel time to and from work sites does not count toward the participation requirements. However, the time an individual spends in job search and job readiness assistance traveling between multiple interviews may be counted in the hours of participation.

(2)(3)For the six week limitation on participation, a week is defined as:

(a)Twenty hours for a work eligible individual who is a single custodial parent with a child under six years of age; or

(b)Thirty hours for all other work eligible individuals.

(3)(4)Six weeks of job search and job readiness assistance equals:

(a)One hundred twenty hours in a twelve-month period for each work eligible individual described in paragraph (C)(2)(a)(C)(3)(a) of this rule in a twelve-month period; and

(b)One hundred eighty hours in a twelve-month period for each work eligible individual described in paragraph (C)(2)(b)(C)(3)(b) of this rule in a twelve-month period.

(4)(5)No more than four weeks of the six weeks may be consecutive.

(5)(6)For purposes of the four consecutive week period, the following provisions are applicable:

(a)A week means seven consecutive days;

(b)Any hours of participation in job search and job readiness assistance activities in the seven consecutive day period shall count as an entire week.

(6)(7)Once an individual has four consecutive weeks of participation, that individual's participation in job search and job readiness assistance may not count for one week (i.e., seven consecutive days).