This rule describes the statewide project area and the approved county collaborations for the purposes of administering the food assistance program. County collaborations allow multiple county departments of job and family services to come together under a common agreement and operate as a single entity for the purposes of administering food assistance benefits. Agreements between counties may be formalized under section 329.40 of the Revised Code or they may be informal agreements subject to review and approval by the Ohio department of job and family services. Throughout division 5101:4 of the Administrative Code, the term "county agency" should be read to include an approved county collaboration.

(A)What is a project area?

The entire state of Ohio has been designated as a single project area responsible for program operations. Within the statewide project area, county collaboration have been designated as certification offices responsible for program operations which includes, but is not limited to: application processing; eligibility determinations; and the operation of employment and training programs.

(B)What are the approved county collaborations?

The Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) issues the names of the approved county collaborations via a food assistance change transmittal letter, which can be found in the food assistance certification handbook at the ODJFS website.