Current through all regulations passed and filed through March 18, 2024
(A) For purposes of this rule, continuous
improvement means a strategy to examine the current county department of job
and family services (CDJFS) operations and processes to improve operational
efficiencies and effectiveness of Title IV-A of the Social Security Act of 1935
as amended, food
assistance, or
disability financial assistance (DFA) services to clients and customers. It
will include steps to maintain and continuously improve results.
(B) CDJFS continuous improvement plans must
include the following:
(1) An analysis that
determines the causes for not meeting performance.
(2) Identified targets for improving results.
(3) Specified performance
improvement strategies or action steps that are based on analysis.
(4) Projected time frames for implementing
strategies and achieving results.
(5) Designation of an individual who is
responsible to carry out the strategies or steps.
(6) Designated resources necessary to carry
out the plan.
(7) Defined
strategies to monitor and analyze the implementation, the results, and the
accomplishments of the plan.
(8) A
defined strategy to continually revise the continuous improvement plan based
upon successes and new challenges and to continually assure improved
performance.
(9) The elements
specified in paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(8) of this rule may be modified as
determined appropriate by the assigned outcome management supervisor subject to
Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) approval.
(C) Voluntary continuous
improvement plans A CDJFS may develop a voluntary continuous improvement plan
on any Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, food
assistance, or
DFA program for which it seeks improved performance. The CDJFS voluntary
continuous improvement plan must comply with the conditions defined in
paragraph (B) of this rule.
(D)
Required continuous improvement plans
(1)
The CDJFS is required to develop and implement continuous improvement plans
for Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, food
assistance, or
DFA program measures as defined in rule
5101:9-10-01
of the Administrative Code, when the CDJFS:
(a) Does not meet a Title IV-A, food
assistance, or DFA CDJFS performance standard for the
prior measurement year;
(b) Does
not meet a Title IV-A, food
assistance, or DFA CDJFS performance standard as
defined in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(3) of rule
5101:9-10-01
of the Administrative Code for two consecutive quarters.
If the CDJFS performance is above the standard in the
latest available two consecutive quarters, but below the standard on the
measurement year at the time the annual performance rate data becomes
available, Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) has the option to
waive the criteria in paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this rule in the determination
process of whether a continuous improvement plan is required.
(2) When ODJFS determines that
conditions stated in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule exists, ODJFS will issue a
notice to the CDJFS director that the CDJFS agency is required to develop and
implement a continuous improvement plan pursuant to paragraph (D) of this rule.
(a) Within thirty calendar days of the
issuance date of the notice, the CDJFS shall submit a continuous improvement
plan to the ODJFS for review, approval, or disapproval by the assigned outcome
management supervisor.
(b) Within
forty-five calendar days of the issuance of the notice, continuous improvement
plans which have been disapproved by the assigned outcome management supervisor
shall be revised by the CDJFS and resubmitted to ODJFS for review, approval, or
disapproval by the assigned outcome management supervisor.
(c) Within sixty calendar days of the
issuance date of the notice, the CDJFS shall implement an ODJFS-approved
continuous improvement plan.
(d)
Failure to submit an approvable continuous improvement plan and failure to
implement an ODJFS-approved continuous improvement plan will invoke corrective
action as defined in paragraph (E) of this rule.
(3) CDJFS continuous improvement plans must
comply with paragraph (B) of this rule.
(4) The ODJFS-approved CDJFS continuous
improvement plan implementation will be reviewed by ODJFS on a quarterly basis.
(5) After two quarters of meeting
the standard as determined by ODJFS, the CDJFS continuous improvement plan will
not require monitoring by ODJFS.
(6) Requesting a review of a determination
that a continuous improvement plan is required as defined in paragraph (D) of
this rule:
(a)
If a CDJFS has reasonable cause to believe that ODJFS
incorrectly calculated data, as specified in rule
5101:9-10-01
of the Administrative Code, or failed to follow procedures as specified in this
rule for requiring a continuous improvement plan it may request a review of the decision in accordance
with the following:
(i) Within thirty days of
the issuance of a notice requiring a continuous improvement plan, the CDJFS
must submit a letter and supporting documentation to ODJFS.
(ii) The letter and supporting documentation
shall demonstrate that there
was a specific ODJFS
error(s) in
the calculation or procedures.
(iii) ODJFS may request additional
information from the CDJFS in order to render a decision. The CDJFS will have
thirty days to supply additional data if requested by ODJFS.
(iv) Within thirty days of receiving a
complete request for review, ODJFS will notify the CDJFS in writing of its
findings.
(b) Shall not
be a reason to delay development or implementation of a required continuous
improvement plan as defined in paragraph (D) of this rule.
(E) Corrective action
(1) A CDJFS that does not develop or
implement a continuous improvement plan as defined in paragraph (D) of this
rule may be subject to the corrective action requirements as specified in
division (B) of section
5101.221 of the Revised Code.
The corrective action requirements and consequences for non-compliance are
defined in section 5101.221 and section
5101.24 of the Revised Code.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions
in this rule, ODJFS at its sole discretion, may require a CDJFS to develop a
corrective action plan in accordance with section
5101.221 and/or section
5101.24 of the Revised Code,
and/or in response to a noncompliance finding by another state or federal
agency.
(F) Continuous
improvement assistance ODJFS will provide technical assistance at the request
of a CDJFS to assist in the development, implementation, and/or evaluation of a
continuous improvement plan.