(A)Conflict with Revised Code

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 agencies 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.

(B)The county agency shall administer the work activity programs in accordance with the requirements contained in this rule and not in accordance with sections 5107.01, 5107.40, 5107.43, 5107.58 and 5107.60 of the Revised Code. All applicable requirements contained in the Revised Code sections referenced have been incorporated into this rule.

(C)What is vocational educational training?

(1)Vocational educational training means organized education programs that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations requiring training.

(2)Vocational educational training must be provided by education and training organizations.

(3)Acceptable types of vocational educational training include, but are not limited to:

(a)Baccalaureate or advanced degrees;

(b)Associate degree;

(c)Instructional certificate program;

(d)Industrial skills certificate;

(e)Non-credit coursework; and

(f)Basic skills education and English as a second language (ESL) courses if they are a necessary and regular part of the vocational educational training.

(D)What hours of participation in vocational educational training may count toward work participation?

(1)Hours of participation are actual hours spent in the classroom not semester or quarter credit hours.

(2)The county agency may count supervised homework time and up to one hour of unsupervised time for each hour of class time. Total homework time counted for participation cannot exceed the hours required or advised by a particular education institution. The county agency must document the homework expectations of the educational program in order to count homework time.

(E)What are the limitations on vocational educational training?

(1)For each work eligible applicant or participant no more than twelve months of vocational educational training will count toward the federal participation rate in a lifetime.

(2)Not more than thirty per cent of the number of individuals assigned to vocational educational training in all families and in two parent families shall count toward the monthly work participation rate pursuant to rule 5101:1-3-01 of the Administrative Code.

(F)How is tuition covered?

(1) The participant shall make reasonable efforts, as determined by the county agency, to obtain a loan, scholarship, grant or other assistance to pay for the tuition, including a federal pell grant under 20 U.S.C. 1070a(10/98), an Ohio instructional grant under section 3333.12 of the Revised Code, and an Ohio college opportunity grant under section 3333.122 of the Revised Code.

(2)If the participant is unable to obtain sufficient assistance to pay the tuition the program may pay the tuition. The county agency may enter into a loan agreement with the participant to pay the tuition. The total period for which tuition is paid and loans made shall not exceed two years.

(3)If the participant volunteers to participate in the vocational education program for more hours each week than the hours assigned, the program may pay or the county agency may loan the cost of the tuition for the assigned number of hours.

(4)A county agency that provides loans pursuant to paragraph (F)(2) of this rule shall establish procedures governing loan application for and the approval and administration of loans granted.