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.