Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
The learning, earning and parenting (LEAP) program, as described in
section
5107.30
of the Revised Code, is a program designed to encourage pregnant and parenting
teens to attend and complete high school or the equivalent.
(A) Who is eligible for LEAP?
With the exception of teens who have obtained a high school diploma or
the equivalent, teen custodial parents, and pregnant teens under the age of
nineteen who are applying for or in receipt of Ohio works first (OWF), are
potentially subject to the LEAP program requirements. These requirements apply
to teens who live on their own and to teens who live with their parents, other
caretaker relatives, legal guardians or legal custodians. The requirements
apply to both the teen custodial mother and the teen custodial father of the
child and to all pregnant teens.
(B) The following definitions apply to the
LEAP program:
(1) "Attendance bonus" means a
sixty-two dollar financial bonus added to the OWF payment for the assistance
group for each LEAP teen included in the assistance group who meets the LEAP
attendance requirements as defined in this rule.
(2) "Attendance month" means the
calendar month that the teen attended school. Attendance in the month is
evaluated in order to determine if an attendance bonus is issued or an
attendance sanction is proposed in the corresponding payment month.
(3) "Attendance sanction" means that a LEAP
teen with more than two unexcused absences in a month is:
(a) Not eligible for the attendance bonus
payment; and
(b) The assistance
payment for the assistance group containing the LEAP teen will be reduced by
sixty-two dollars.
(4)
"Enrollment bonus" means a one-time one-hundred dollar financial bonus added to
the OWF payment for the assistance group for each LEAP teen included in the
assistance group who enrolls in school for the first time after being notified
of LEAP program participation.
(5)
"Excused absence" means the reason for the absence meets the school district's
definition of a valid reason for the teen not to attend school or it was not an
absence excusable under the school's attendance rules but upon review by the
county agency at the request of the teen, it was acceptable under the good
cause reasons provided in the LEAP program.
(6) "Full day" means the entire school day as
defined by the school district.
(7)
"Grade completion bonus" means a one-hundred dollar financial bonus added to
the OWF payment for the assistance group for each LEAP teen included in the
assistance group for each subsequent grade completed, except grade twelve.
Grade completion is defined by the local school district.
(8) "Graduation bonus" means a one-time
five-hundred dollar financial bonus for each LEAP teen included in the
assistance group who has graduated from high school or obtained a high school
equivalence diploma.
(9) "High
school equivalence diploma" means a diploma attesting to the achievement of the
equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores on the tests of
general educational development (GED) as published by the "American Council on
Education." High school equivalence diploma includes a certificate of high
school equivalence. This program formerly issued the general equivalency
diploma or GED.
(10) "Home
education" means education primarily directed and provided by the parent or
guardian of the child under division (A) of section
3321.04 of
the Revised Code for the child who is of compulsory school age and is not
enrolled in a nonpublic school.
(11) "Internet- or computer-based community
school," as defined in section
3314.02
of the Revised Code, means a community school in which the enrolled students
work primarily from their residences on assignments in nonclassroom-based
learning opportunities provided via an internet- or other computer-based
instructional method that does not rely on regular classroom instruction or via
comprehensive instructional methods that include internet-based, other
computer-based, and noncomputer-based learning opportunities unless a student
receives career-technical education under section
3314.086
of the Revised Code. Internet- or computer-based schools are also sometimes
referred to as "electronic schools," or "e-schools."
(12) "Retrospective cycle" means a four
sequential month period. The four month period begins with the attendance
month, followed by two processing months, and ends with the payment
month.
(13) "School" means an
educational program that leads to a high school diploma or the equivalent and
includes the following: a public school; a private school; a vocational,
technical, or adult education school; or a course of study meeting the
standards established by the state of Ohio for granting a high school
equivalence diploma.
(14) "School
attendance officer" means an employee designated by the school who is
responsible for matters relating to school attendance and truancy.
(15) "School district" means the territorial
unit for school administration as specified in section
3313.64
of the Revised Code.
(16) "School
year" for the LEAP program is September through May. These are the months that
attendance will be monitored and enrollment/attendance bonuses and attendance
sanctions will be given. This definition does not apply to teens enrolled in a
GED program. The school year for GED program purposes is the twelve-month
period beginning with the first month of mandatory attendance.
(17) "Unexcused absence" means the reason for
the absence does not meet the school district's definition of a valid reason
for the teen not to attend school and upon review by the county agency, at the
request of the teen, the reason also does not meet any of the LEAP program good
cause reasons.
(C) What
is the LEAP assessment and orientation?
All teens who are under the age of nineteen, who have not graduated
from high school or received a high school equivalence diploma or equivalent,
and who are not exempt from participation in LEAP pursuant to the conditions
described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, are required to attend
an assessment and orientation interview.
(1) The assessment interview shall include:
(a) A discussion of the LEAP program
goals.
(b) The criteria for
receiving the LEAP bonuses and sanctions.
(c) The types of educational opportunities
available in the community.
(d) The
types of supportive services available in the community.
(e) The rights and responsibilities of
program participants.
(f) The
determination of whether the teen meets one of the exemptions from
participation as described in paragraphs (D)(4) to (D)(10) of this
rule.
(2) Documents
provided to and/or completed by the participant shall include:
(a) The JFS 06905 "LEAP -Learning,
Earning, And Parenting Program Agreement."
(b) The JFS 06906,
"Learning,
Earning and Parenting Program (LEAP) Questions and Answers."
(c) The JFS 06907 "LEAP - Learning,
Earning, And Parenting Program School Information Release Form."
(3) Both the teen and the assistance group
payee, when different, shall be given a copy of the JFS 06905 and the JFS
06906. The teen and the assistance group payee, when different, should be
encouraged to sign the JFS 06905; however, the signature is not a requirement.
The teen is subject to the requirements of the LEAP program even when the JFS
06905 is not signed. The county agency shall document in the assistance group
record that a copy of the JFS 06905 and the JFS 06906 were given to the teen
and the assistance group payee, when different.
(4) Section
5107.14
of the Revised Code provides that in order to participate in OWF, the minor
head of household or each adult member of the assistance group shall enter into
a written self-sufficiency contract with the county agency. When a county
agency has adopted into its self-sufficiency contract as defined in rule
5101:1-1-01
of the Administrative Code, the rights and responsibilities and penalties
for failure to comply with LEAP program requirements described in this rule,
the JFS 06905 is not required to be completed in the LEAP assessment and
orientation interview.
(5) The
county agency shall assign a case manager to the LEAP program participant and
the participant's family to assist the participant in promoting personal
responsibility and in gaining self-sufficiency skills in order to reduce and/or
eliminate dependency on cash assistance.
(6) Reassessment shall be an ongoing process.
The teen shall be reassessed at least once per year. The county agency shall
attempt to schedule reassessment when the teen is scheduled to enroll in the
new school year. The county agency shall review with the teen, at a minimum,
the JFS 06905. The reassessment interview shall serve to review school progress
and to address any new barriers to continued attendance. No face-to-face
interview is required to complete the reassessment.
(D) Who meets the exemptions from LEAP
participation?
A teen who meets any of the conditions described in this paragraph is
exempt from LEAP participation as long as the teen continues to meet the
exemption criteria. While exempt, the teen does not earn the LEAP enrollment,
attendance, grade completion and graduation bonuses or attendance sanctions as
described in paragraphs (G), (L), (P), and (M) of this rule.
With the exception of teens who are under the age of eighteen who meet
the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule, all
exempt teens under the age of eighteen shall be assigned to an alternative
educational or training program defined by the county agency, in order to be
eligible for OWF. In addition, all exempt LEAP teens who are age eighteen,
except those teens who meet the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(1) to
(D)(3) of this rule, shall be either assigned to an alternative educational or
training program defined by the county agency or referred for participation in
a work activity in accordance with the provisions described in division 5101:1
of the Administrative Code.
The exemptions from LEAP participation are:
(1) The teen is the caretaker of a child
under the age of twelve weeks old.
(2) The teen is excused from compulsory
school attendance in accordance with section
3321.04 of
the Revised Code for the purpose of home education.
(3) The teen is participating in an internet-
or computer-based community school as defined in section
3314.02
of the Revised Code.
(4) Child care
services are necessary for the teen to attend school, but child care is
unavailable.
(5) Transportation to
or from the teen's school is necessary and there is no public, private, or
county agency supported transportation available.
(6) Transportation to or from child care is
necessary and there is no public, private, or county agency supported
transportation available.
(7) The
teen is reasonably prevented from attending school by a physical or mental
illness that is expected to last one month or longer.
(8) The child of the teen parent is ill with
a physical or mental illness that is expected to last at least one month or
longer and this requires full-time care by the teen.
(9) The teen is unable to attend school
because the teen was expelled from school and another school or GED program is
not available because:
(a) There is no public
or private school or GED program within reasonable travel time or distance that
will accept the teen; or
(b) There
is a public or private school that will accept the teen but the tuition charge
is prohibitive and the teen's school district refuses to pay the
tuition.
(10) There are
other exceptional circumstances that reasonably prevent the teen from attending
school.
(E) What happens
when there is a failure to meet an assessment or orientation requirement?
Teens identified as potentially subject to LEAP program requirements,
and who do not meet the exemption conditions described in paragraphs (D)(1) to
(D)(3) of this rule, shall be scheduled for an assessment interview and
orientation as described in paragraph (C) of this rule. Failure, without good
cause to meet the assessment and orientation requirement will result in one of
the following consequences described in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(2) of this
rule.
When the county agency determines through available information that
the teen is exempt as described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) of this rule,
neither of the consequences described in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(2) of this
rule shall be proposed while the teen meets the exemption.
(1) Teen under the age of eighteen
A teen under the age of eighteen who is not exempt, as set forth in
paragraph (D) of this rule, who fails without good cause to meet the assessment
and orientation requirements is ineligible to participate in OWF until the teen
complies. However, this consequence affects only the teen and does not affect
the eligibility of the teen's child(ren),
(2) Teen who is age eighteen
A teen who is age eighteen who is not exempt as described in paragraph
(D) of this rule, and who fails without good cause to meet the assessment and
orientation requirements shall be referred for participation in a work
activity, in accordance with the provisions described in division 5101:1 of the
Administrative Code.
(F) Who shall enroll in and attend school or
an alternative educational program?
(1) A teen
under the age of eighteen who does not meet any of the exemptions described in
paragraph (D) of this rule shall be assigned to enroll in and attend
school.
(2) A teen under the age of
eighteen, who meets one of the exemptions in paragraphs (D)(4) to (D)(10) of
this rule shall be assigned to an alternative educational or training program
defined by the county agency. A teen assigned to this activity does not earn
the LEAP enrollment, attendance, grade completion or graduation bonuses, or the
LEAP attendance sanctions.
(3) A
teen who is age eighteen who does not meet one of the exemptions described in
paragraph (D) of this rule shall be assigned to enroll in and attend
school.
(4) A teen who is age
eighteen who meets one of the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(4) to
(D)(10) of this rule shall be either:
(a)
Assigned to an alternative educational or training program defined by the
county agency. A teen assigned to this activity does not earn the LEAP
enrollment, attendance, grade completion or graduation bonuses, or the LEAP
attendance sanctions; or
(b)
Referred for participation in a work activity, in accordance with the
provisions described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.
(G) What are the
requirements for school enrollment?
Within ten calendar days after the assessment and orientation, a LEAP
teen who does not meet an exemption as described in paragraph (D) of this rule
and who is determined by the county agency to be required to enroll in school
as provided in paragraph (F) of this rule, shall be required to provide proof
of enrollment in a school. This time period may be extended up to thirty days
when there is documentation that school arrangements are being made. When
enrollment is not possible because school enrollment personnel are not
available (e.g., school is not open for enrollment during the summer months),
the requirement shall be delayed until compliance is possible. The county
agency shall document any delay.
A one-time enrollment bonus of one-hundred dollars is issued for each
LEAP program participant included in the assistance group for the first
enrollment following notification of the LEAP program requirements. The
enrollment bonus is issued to the assistance group payee based upon the date of
enrollment.
(1) When enrollment is
verified prior to the beginning of the school year, the enrollment bonus shall
be issued for the first month of the school year or for the month the teen is
scheduled to begin attendance, whenever is later.
(2) When enrollment is verified after the
beginning of the school year, the enrollment bonus shall be issued for the
month that the teen is scheduled to begin attendance. When the teen is enrolled
and attending school prior to the assessment and orientation, the enrollment
bonus shall be issued for the month of assessment.
(H) What are the consequences for a failure
to enroll as assigned?
When the teen fails to provide enrollment verification as specified in
paragraph (G) of this rule, the county agency shall send the JFS 06904
"LEAP-Learning, Earning, And Parenting Seven-Day
Good Cause Notice" or the
statewide automated eligibility system equivalent in order for the teen or the
assistance group payee to provide good cause for having failed to provide
enrollment verification. When the county agency subsequently determines that
good cause does not exist, the county agency shall propose one of the following
actions:
(1) A teen who is under the
age of eighteen who fails without good cause to enroll in school as assigned,
is ineligible to participate in OWF. However, this consequence affects only the
teen and does not affect the eligibility of the teen's child(ren).
(2) A teen who is age eighteen who fails
without good cause to enroll in school as assigned shall be referred for
participation in a work activity as described in division 5101:1 of the
Administrative Code.
(I)
How is school attendance tracked?
The county agency shall request that the school attendance officer in
each school that has a LEAP program participant enrolled to provide information
monthly to the county agency about each participant's attendance. The county
agency shall also request that each school make available the attendance
records and other school records of a participant when requested by the county
agency or other agency acting on the behalf of the county agency. The signed
JFS 06907 "LEAP - Learning, Earning, And
Parenting Program School Information Release Form" shall be provided by the county
agency for each student.
(1) The Ohio
department of job and family services (ODJFS) will mail the statewide automated
eligibility system equivalent of the JFS 06903 "LEAP - Learning, Earning And
Parenting School Absence Report" to each school each month containing the name of the LEAP
program participant. The county agency shall request that the school review the
actual attendance of the teen and to record the specific days the teen was
absent and whether the absence was excused or unexcused. When the school
monitors attendance by half days, the county agency shall request that any
half-day absences be reported. The county agency shall request that the school
forward the completed attendance information to the county agency to be
received by the fifth calendar day following the end of the attendance month.
When the fifth calendar day falls on a weekend or a state or federal legal
holiday, the report shall be received by the next business day. The county
agency shall review this information within five days of receipt.
(2) When the school that the teen is
currently enrolled does not furnish the attendance information timely, and the
county agency has not received information to the contrary, the teen shall be
considered to have met the school attendance requirements in the attendance
month.
(3) When the school does not
keep daily attendance records, and the county agency has not received
information to the contrary, the teen shall be considered to have met the
school attendance requirement.
(4)
The county agency may coordinate attendance reporting with the adult basic
literacy and education coordinator in the county. To the extent possible, the
adult and basic literacy and education instructor may be able to indicate the
reason for an absence.
(5) When the
school the participant is attending is not in regular session, including during
holiday and summer breaks, or the teachers are on strike, the participant shall
not be required to attend.
(J) How will LEAP attendance information be
reviewed?
The county agency shall review the attendance information provided by
the school.
(1) When the information
reported under the category of "unexcused absences" is greater than the number
stated in paragraph (L) of this rule, the county agency shall send the JFS
06904 or statewide automated eligibility system equivalent to the assistance
group payee in order to gain information concerning the "unexcused
absences."
(2) When the total
number of absences (excused and unexcused) reported exceeds the number of
allowable absences and the number of unexcused absences is within the allowable
limit, the county agency shall send the JFS 06904 or the statewide automated
eligibility system equivalent to the assistance group payee to gain
information.
(3) When the county
agency determines that good cause exists for an unexcused absence, the
"unexcused absence" shall be considered "excused" for purposes of determining
if attendance requirements have been met. When the county agency evaluates the
reasons for the unexcused absence and finds good cause does not exist, or when
the assistance group fails to respond within seven days to the JFS 06904, the
"unexcused absence(s)" will be used in the determination of an imposition of a
sanction.
(K) How is GED
and adult basic literacy education participation information reviewed?
GED programs do not routinely capture information regarding the reason
for a student's absence. For this reason, when the school reports any absences
for a teen participating in a GED program, the county agency shall contact the
teen to determine the reason for the absence. The county agency shall send the
JFS 06904 or the statewide automated eligibility system equivalent. The teen or
assistance group payee, when different, shall have seven days to respond. The
county agency shall evaluate the reason given for the absence using the good
cause criteria described in paragraph (N) of this rule and process the
information as described in paragraph (Q) of this rule. When there is no
response to the JFS 06904 or statewide automated eligibility system equivalent,
the county agency shall assume that the absences reported by the school were
unexcused absences.
(1) Teens enrolled
in a GED or other high school equivalency program shall be required to attend
classes up to the scheduled date of the GED test.
(2) The county agency shall attempt to
coordinate attendance reporting with the adult basic literacy education
coordinator in the county. Adult basic literacy education instructors may be
able to indicate the reason for an absence.
(L) What is the LEAP attendance bonus?
A sixty-two dollar bonus shall be issued for each month that the
attendance requirement is met. The attendance standard shall be considered to
have been met when the LEAP program participant has four or fewer total
absences in a month with no more than two of such absences unexcused.
(1) Teens with two or fewer unexcused
absences but more than four total countable absences in a month shall not be
eligible for the sixty-two dollar attendance bonus payment.
(2) Teens enrolled in a GED program shall be
required to attend the number of classes per month listed below in order to
receive the attendance bonus:
(a) When classes
are held five days a week, the teen shall attend all classes but four a month.
No more than two of the total absences may be unexcused absences.
(b) When classes are held four days a week,
the teen shall attend all classes but three a month. No more than two of the
absences may be unexcused.
(c) When
classes are held three days a week, the teen shall attend all classes but two a
month. No more than one of the total absences may be unexcused.
(d) When classes are held two days a week,
the teen shall attend all classes but two a month. No more than one of the
total absences may be unexcused.
(e) When classes are held one day a week, the
teen shall attend all classes but one a month. The absence shall be an excused
absence.
(3) A
participant enrolled in a GED program who misses more than the total number of
allowable class absences but does not exceed the number of allowable unexcused
class absences shall not be eligible for the sixty-two dollar attendance bonus
payment.
(4) Absences shall be
waived when the absence is the result of the teen's or the teen's child's
illness or injury, when the illness or injury is verified by a physician's
statement. The county agency shall waive an absence when there is documentation
that the absence was a result of a medical appointment for the teen or the
teen's child that could not be scheduled outside of school hours. The county
agency shall document that the absence has been waived.
(5) The attendance bonus is added to the
assistance payment and issued in accordance with paragraph (Q) of this
rule.
(6) A teen who complies with
the attendance requirements as described in paragraphs (L)(1) to (L)(2) of this
rule shall be eligible to receive the attendance bonus as a part of the
recurring OWF payment.
(a) A teen subject to
mandatory participation who fails to comply with the attendance requirements
shall be subject to a sanction as described in paragraph (M) of this
rule.
(b) During the first three
months of attendance in the school year, beginning with the month that the
enrollment bonus was issued, the JFS 06903 shall be received and reviewed for
compliance with the LEAP program attendance requirements. Issuance of the bonus
payment or application of the sanction based on attendance shall be determined
retrospectively.
(M) What is the LEAP attendance sanction?
Teens with more than two unexcused absences in a month shall not be
eligible for the attendance bonus payment and the assistance payment for the
assistance group containing the LEAP program participant will be reduced by
sixty-two dollars.
(1) For a teen
enrolled in a GED program, the assistance payment for the assistance group
containing the mandatory LEAP program participant shall be reduced by sixty-two
dollars when the teen misses more than the total number of unexcused absences
allowed in paragraph (L) of this rule.
(2) The teen or assistance group payee shall
be required to report to the county agency within ten calendar days when the
teen ceases to attend or officially withdraws from school. For a mandatory
participant who has enrolled in school, and subsequently officially withdraws
from school, one of the following consequences is applicable:
(a) For a teen who is under the age of
eighteen, the teen is ineligible to participate beginning with the month
following the month of withdrawal from school. The OWF payment for the
assistance group shall be reduced accordingly. The prior notice requirements
described in division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code are
applicable.
(b) For a teen who is
age eighteen when the teen ceases to attend or officially withdraws from
school, the teen shall be referred to participate in a work activity as
described in division 5101:1 of the Administrative Code.
(3) The reduction in the OWF payment as the
result of the mandatory participant having excessive unexcused absences will be
applied retrospectively as described in paragraph (Q) of this rule. The
reduction in the OWF payment as the result of school withdrawal will be
effective the month after the month of the withdrawal.
(N) What is considered good cause for
non-attendance?
A teen shall be considered to have good cause for not attending school
in the following situations. The county agency may require medical or other
verification for all of the following circumstances:
(1) The teen was ill, injured, or
incapacitated and was reasonably prevented from attending school;
(2) The child of the teen parent was ill, or
injured and required care by the teen;
(3) The child care ordinarily used by the
teen was temporarily unavailable and no alternative child care was
available;
(4) The teen had a
scheduled or emergency appointment for medical, dental or vision
care;
(5) The child of the teen had
a scheduled or emergency appointment for medical, dental or vision care that
required the presence of the teen;
(6) A family member was ill and required
full-time care by the teen. A "family member" is defined as an individual
related by blood, marriage, adoption, legal assignment (foster parent) or is
the other parent of the teen custodial parent's child. The family member shall
live in the same household as the teen;
(7) A member of the immediate family died.
"Immediate family" is defined as a husband, wife, parent, step-parent,
grandparent, step-grandparent, sibling, step-sibling, adoptive sibling, child,
stepchild, or the other parent of the teen custodial parent's child. A maximum
of five consecutive school days of leave shall be allowed;
(8) A more distant family member died. This
includes cousins, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces. A maximum of three
consecutive school days of leave shall be allowed;
(9) Transportation to or from the teen's
school is necessary and the transportation ordinarily used was temporarily
unavailable;
(10) Transportation to
or from child care is necessary and the transportation ordinarily used was
temporarily unavailable;
(11) The
teen had a scheduled or emergency appointment at a court or the county
agency;
(12) Other exceptional
circumstance existed that reasonably prevented the teen from attending
school.
(O) What happens
when an individual fails to comply with their assignment?
Teens who meet one of the exemptions described in paragraphs (D)(4) to
(D)(10) of this rule shall be assigned to an alternative educational or
training program defined by the county agency, in order to be eligible to
participate in OWF. Failure by the teen to comply without good cause with this
assignment will result in one of the following two consequences:
(1) A teen who is under eighteen who fails
without good cause to comply with the alternative educational or training
program assignment defined by the county agency is ineligible to participate in
OWF.
(2) A teen who is age eighteen
who fails without good cause to comply with the alternative educational or
training program assignment defined by the county agency shall be referred for
participation in a work activity as described in division 5101:1 of the
Administrative Code.
(P)
What are the grade completion and graduation bonuses?
(1) Grade completion bonus
A one-hundred dollar grade-completion bonus shall be issued for each
LEAP program participant included in the assistance group for each subsequent
grade completed, except grade twelve, in a school or alternative school. Grade
completion shall be defined by the local school district.
(a) The grade completion bonus shall be
issued upon verification from the school that the LEAP program participant has
achieved grade completion for the school year. The grade completion bonus is
not issued in the retrospective cycle.
(b) Grade completion bonuses shall not be
made for participants in adult basic literacy and education courses.
(2) Graduation bonus
A one-time five-hundred dollar bonus shall be issued for a LEAP program
participant who has graduated from high school or obtained a high school
equivalence diploma. The graduation bonus shall be issued upon verification
that the LEAP teen has graduated or obtained a high school equivalence diploma.
The graduation bonus is not issued in the retrospective cycle.
(Q) What is the LEAP
retrospective cycle?
(1) The LEAP
retrospective cycle is comprised of four sequential months. The cycle begins
with the attendance month, continues with two processing months, and ends with
the payment month. The retrospective cycle remains in place throughout the
school year. Attendance shall not be monitored for teens attending summer
school. However, when the teen is enrolled and attending a GED program that
begins or continues during the summer months, attendance shall be monitored and
issuance of the attendance bonus or application of the sanction based on
attendance shall be determined using the retrospective cycle.
(2) The following conditions relate to the
application of the attendance bonus and the sanction:
(a) The attendance bonus shall not be issued
when there is no OWF eligibility in the corresponding payment month.
(b) The attendance bonus and the sanction
shall remain with the teen when the teen becomes a member of a new assistance
group.
(c) When there is a break in
OWF eligibility:
(i) When the assistance group
was ineligible for OWF in a particular attendance month but reapplies and is
eligible for OWF in the corresponding payment month, any bonus earned in the
attendance month shall be payable in the corresponding payment month.
(ii) When the teen had excessive unexcused
absences during the attendance month that the assistance group was ineligible
for OWF, no sanction shall be applied in the corresponding payment
month.
(3)
The penalties for failure to attend the scheduled assessment interview, for
failure to enroll in school, for withdrawal from school, or failure to comply
with an alternative educational or training program assignment are effective
the month following the month of failure or withdrawal, and the retrospective
cycle is not used to apply these penalties.
(4) When the participant is no longer subject
to the LEAP program requirements and eligibility for OWF continues, the change
shall be effective the month following the month the individual's LEAP program
requirements end. However, the issuance of the attendance bonus payment or
application of the sanction based on attendance information shall continue in
the retrospective cycle provided eligibility for OWF continues.
(5) When the mandatory participant who has
been ineligible for failure to enroll and to attend school, reports and
verifies a change in circumstances that allows an exemption from participation,
as provided in paragraph (D) of this rule, the change shall be handled in the
manner of all reported changes that increase the assistance payment.
(6) When the mandatory participant has been
enrolled and has been meeting the school attendance requirement, any change
occurring that would allow the teen to be exempt shall be effective the month
following the month of change. However, because of the retrospective cycle, the
change shall not be reflected until the corresponding payment month.
(7) When the exempt participant meets the
reporting responsibilities described in rule
5101:1-2-20
of the Administrative Code and complies with LEAP program requirements, no
sanction shall be proposed and no erroneous payment, as defined in section
5107.76
of the Revised Code occurs. However, when the teen fails to comply with LEAP
program requirements, an erroneous payment occurs beginning the first day of
the month following the month that the change occurred.
(8) When the teen fails to meet the reporting
responsibilities and the county agency determined a change has occurred that
would result in the loss of exemption status, the county agency shall schedule
an assessment interview. When the teen complies with the assessment and
enrollment requirements, an erroneous payment would be computed beginning with
the first day of the month following the month the change occurred and would
continue until the last day of the month prior to the month of the assessment.
When the teen fails to comply with the assessment and enrollment requirements,
the erroneous payment shall be computed beginning with the first day of the
month following the month of change and shall continue through the last day of
the month prior to the imposition of the appropriate penalty.
(R) What are the LEAP and
self-sufficiency contract requirements for minor heads of households?
(1) Minor heads of households are subject to
both LEAP and self-sufficiency contract requirements. LEAP is the appropriate
assignment under the self-sufficiency contract for minor heads of households.
When the LEAP teen fails to comply with the LEAP program requirements but
complies with all other provisions of the self-sufficiency contract, the teen
is subject to the LEAP sanctions and penalties as described in this rule. When
the LEAP teen fails to comply with any of the provisions of the
self-sufficiency contract, the teen is subject to the sanctions described in
section
5107.16
of the Revised Code.
(2) A teen who
is eighteen who is a work program participant has the option of returning to
regular LEAP participation.
(3)
This option cannot be utilized to avoid implementation of a sanction as
described in section
5107.16
of the Revised Code.
(S)
Is a LEAP required teen exempt from LEAP participation when he or she is a
mandatory or volunteer participant in the comprehensive case management and
employment program (CCMEP)?
Participation in CCMEP does not exempt a LEAP required teen from LEAP
participation. In accordance with paragraph (C)(31) of rule
5101:14-1-05
of the Administrative Code, a LEAP required teen shall be assigned to
participate in LEAP.
When the LEAP teen fails to comply with the LEAP program requirements
the teen is subject to the LEAP sanctions and penalties described in this rule.
Failures to comply with the individual opportunity plan (IOP) are described in
rule 5101:14-1-05 of the Administrative Code.
