Chapter 5101:2-50 | Bridges

Rule 5101:2-50-01 | Bridges definitions.

• Effective: December 12, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

This rule contains the definitions of terms used in Chapter 5101:2-50 of the Administrative Code.

(A) "Bridges applicant" is an individual applying for bridges.

(B) "Bridges liaison" is an individual acting on behalf of a bridges regional grantee to provide case management to, and advocacy for, a bridges participant.

(C) "Bridges participant" is an emancipated young adult approved for and actively receiving bridges services.

(D) "Bridges regional grantee" is the agency or consortium selected by ODJFS as a result of the procurement process that will be providing services to emancipated young adults in a region or regions of the state.

(E) "Bridges representative" is an individual acting on behalf of a bridges regional grantee.

(F) "Business day" is any day, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

(G) "Calendar day" is any day in the month including weekends and holidays.

(H) "Designee" means a person designated by the governing body of an agency who is responsible for the management and administration of a program on behalf of the agency.

(I) "Emancipation" is the legal process of custody termination from a Title IV-E agency on or after a youth attains the age of eighteen.

(J) "Foster care maintenance" is an individual entitlement for financial assistance for board and care of young adults who meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-04 of the Administrative Code, who are in the care and placement of a Title IV-E agency and are in an approved substitute care placement.

(K) "Issued," when used in reference to notices, decisions, and other documents, means the date the document is sent by U.S. mail or hand delivered, whichever is earlier.

(L) "Qualified practitioner," for the purposes of bridges, is a licensed professional qualified to diagnose an individual with a physical, mental, or developmental medical condition.

(M) "Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (Ohio SACWIS)," as established and maintained in accordance with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 674 (a)(3)(C) (10/2008), is a comprehensive automated case management tool that supports child protective and family preservation services.

(N) "Supervised setting" means any setting in which a bridges participant resides that is approved and visited by a bridges liaison, at a minimum, once every thirty days.

(O) "Voluntary Participation Agreement (VPA)" is a written agreement, binding on the parties to the agreement, between ODJFS and a young adult which specifies, at a minimum, the legal status of the young adult and the rights and obligations of the young adult and ODJFS while the young adult is involved in bridges.

(P) "Young adult" means a person who has attained the age of eighteen.

Last updated December 13, 2022 at 8:45 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 12/12/2027

Rule 5101:2-50-02 | Requirements for bridges eligibility.

• Effective: December 12, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Pursuant to section 5101.1414 of the Revised Code, bridges is a voluntary benefits program with the intended outcome of an eligible emancipated young adult gaining skills to self-sufficiency. Bridges provides an eligible emancipated young adult assistance with stable housing, support to complete educational goals, employment resources, and access to community resources.

(A) A bridges representative must be contacted to apply for services.

(B) To be eligible for bridges, an applicant is to meet all of the following :

(1) Attained the age of eighteen but not attained the age of twenty-one; and

(2) Emancipated from one of the following:

(a) The custody of an Ohio public children services agency (PCSA),

(b) The care and placement responsibility of an Ohio Title IV-E juvenile court, or

(c) The care and placement of the Ohio department of youth services (DYS) and was in a placement that qualifies for Title IV-E maintenance reimbursement, excluding juvenile correctional facilities, upon turning the age of eighteen.

(3) Satisfies at least one of the following eligibility criteria as outlined in the JFS 01627 "Bridges Eligibility Acknowledgement Form":

(a) Completing a secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;

(b) Enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or vocational education;

(c) Participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;

(d) Employed for at least eighty hours per month;

(e) Incapable of doing any of the activities as described in paragraphs (B)(3)(a) to (B)(3)(d) of this rule due to a diagnosed physical or mental health condition.

(C) The applicant, with the assistance of the bridges representative, shall submit the necessary supporting documentation to verify eligibility criteria. Documentation may include but is not limited to any of the following:

(1) School or college enrollment letter;

(2) Current class schedule;

(3) Most recent employment paystub;

(4) Letter from job training program verifying participation;

(5) JFS 01628 "Bridges Disability Verification Form" completed by a qualified practitioner stating how a physical or mental health condition prevents participation in activities described in paragraphs (B)(3)(a) to (B)(3)(d) of this rule.

(D) The bridges representative shall submit a completed and signed JFS 01626 "Bridges Application", JFS 01617 "Bridges Voluntary Participation Agreement", documentation supporting eligibility described in paragraph (B)(4) of this rule, and a signed JFS 01627 to the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) for approval.

(E) An applicant approved for bridges participation shall sign a JFS 01617 pursuant to section 5101.1412 of the Revised Code and be provided with the JFS 04059 "Explanation of State Hearing Procedures."

(F) Under certain circumstances, an applicant may be enrolled in bridges on a provisional basis. Provisional enrollment allows the applicant up to sixty calendar days to provide documentation that supports their eligibility.

(G) An applicant enrolled in bridges on a provisional basis is to be notified of ineligibility and subsequent termination from bridges as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-03 of the Administrative Code if supporting documentation to verify eligibility has not been submitted within sixty calendar days from the date of enrollment.

(H) A bridges participant must maintain continued eligibility which is to be reviewed by the bridges representative no later than every thirty calendar days but may be reviewed at any time. If a bridges participant fails to maintain eligibility, the bridges representative shall notify the participant in writing of ineligibility and possible termination from bridges as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-03 of the Administrative Code.

(I) If a bridges application is denied, ODJFS will send the applicant a JFS 01618 "Bridges Notice of Denial" and JFS 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form" no later than three business days after the application is denied. The denial notice shall inform the applicant of the reason for denial and the right to appeal the decision as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-05 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated December 13, 2022 at 8:46 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 12/11/2017

Rule 5101:2-50-03 | Bridges termination and reentry.

• Effective: December 12, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Bridges participants shall be terminated from bridges when any of the following occurs:

(1) Participant no longer meets bridges eligibility requirements as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-02 of the Administrative Code; or

(2) Participant fails to be in face to face contact with bridges representative for more than sixty calendar days; or

(3) Participant is incarcerated for more than sixty calendar days; or

(4) Participant voluntarily withdraws from bridges; or

(5) Participant reaches the age of twenty-one; or

(6) Death of the participant; or

(7) ODJFS discretionary action to terminate as described in paragraph (I) of this rule.

(B) A bridges participant deemed ineligible for bridges based on circumstances as outlined in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(3) of this rule will be provided the JFS 01619 "Bridges Notice of Ineligibility" that indicates the date of ineligibility and date of termination. The effective date of termination will be sixty calendar days following the date of ineligibility.

(C) Bridges eligibility can be reestablished during the sixty calendar days described in paragraph (B) of this rule as long as the bridges participant submits documentation that verifies meeting eligibility criteria as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-02 of the Administrative Code, and the termination reasons outlined in paragraph (A) of this rule no longer exist.

(D) Fifteen calendar days prior to the effective date of termination, the bridges representative shall provide the JFS 01620 "Bridges Notice of Termination" and JFS 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form" to the bridges participant. The termination notice shall state the effective date of termination, the reason for termination and include the right to appeal the decision as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-05 of the Administrative Code.

(E) The bridges participant is to be provided the JFS 01622 each time the participant is provided the JFS 01620.

(F) A bridges participant can be provisionally enrolled for thirty calendar days to allow the participant time to submit documentation of eligibility. If the documentation is not received by the thirtieth day, the participant will be provided the JFS 01619. A bridges participant will have an additional thirty days to submit documentation that verifies eligibility.

(G) A bridges participant enrolled on a provisional basis that does not provide documentation of eligibility within sixty calendar days of the participant's date of enrollment is to be provided the JFS 01620 as outlined in paragraph (D) of this rule.

(H) A bridges participant choosing to voluntarily withdraw from bridges shall submit a JFS 01621 "Bridges Voluntary Withdrawal Form" to the bridges representative. The bridges participant shall be terminated from the program on the date indicated as such on the form.

(I) The ODJFS' deputy director or their designee has the discretion to terminate a bridges' participant without providing a sixty day notice, including but not limited to, if the participant falsifies eligibility documentation, is incarcerated for a period impacting program requirements, participant refuses to participate in program activities, or program funds are not utilized for participant basic needs. The bridges representative shall provide the participant the JFS 01620 stating the reason for the discretionary termination and the date services terminate.

(J) Reapplication for bridges can be made any time after termination if eligibility criteria is established and a new application is submitted as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-02 of the Administrative Code.

(K) Upon verification that a bridges participant provided falsified eligibility documentation, the following will occur:

(1) The bridges participant will be terminated immediately from bridges.

(2) The bridges representative will provide the participant with the JFS 01620 stating the reason for termination and the date services terminated.

(L) A bridges participant who was terminated for falsified documentation may reapply for bridges by submitting a new application as outlined in rule 5101:2-50-02 of the Administrative Code sixty calendar days from the following:

(1) The mailing date on the JFS 01620 provided to the participant; or

(2) The date a state hearing decision is overruled or withdrawn, if the participant files an appeal of the termination as outlined in paragraph (B)(2) of rule 5101:2-50-05 of the Administrative Code.

(M) No individual can receive benefits from bridges upon turning the age of twenty-one. No later than sixty calendar days prior to the bridges participant's twenty-first birthday, the bridges representative shall provide the participant the JFS 01620 stating that services will terminate upon the participant's twenty-first birthday.

Last updated December 13, 2022 at 8:46 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 12/11/2017

Rule 5101:2-50-04 | Bridges Title IV-E eligibility and reimbursability determination.

• Effective: February 7, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 675(8), a Title IV-E agency can extend foster care assistance for an emancipated young adult age eighteen but less than age twenty-one. This funding is provided in accordance with the federal "Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008" to cover foster care maintenance (FCM) payments, administration and training payments.

(B) Title IV-E FCM program eligibility and reimbursability shall be determined in the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) by the Title IV-E agency representative within thirty calendar days of any of the following:

(1) Voluntary participation agreement (VPA) effective date;

(2) Best interest ruling date;

(3) Annual reasonable efforts ruling date;

(4) The date a bridges participant is no longer residing in an approved supervised independent living setting; or

(5) Case transfer between regional bridges agencies.

(C) A bridges participant shall be considered Title IV-E FCM program eligible if, at the time eligibility is being determined:

(1) The emancipated young adult is program eligible for bridges and has signed a VPA pursuant to rule 5101:2-50-02 of the Administrative Code.

(2) The bridges participant met the aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) eligibility requirements per section 472(a)(3) of the "Act". AFDC eligibility is based on the bridges participant without regard to the parents/legal guardians or others in the assistance unit in the home from which the bridges participant was removed as a child.

(D) Once Title IV-E FCM eligibility is established, the bridges participant remains program eligible for the entire care and placement episode through the end of the month of the bridges participant's twenty-first birthday.

(E) The bridges participant is no longer program eligible for Title IV-E FCM when any of the following occur:

(1) The bridges participant has been terminated from bridges pursuant to rule 5101:2-50-03 of the Administrative Code; or

(2) The Title IV-E agency failed to acquire a best interest statement from the juvenile court in accordance with section 5101.1412 of the Revised Code. Eligibility ends at the end of the one hundred eightieth day of the signed VPA; or

(3) At the end of the month of the bridges participant's twenty-first birthday; or

(4) The bridges participant dies. Eligibility ends on the date of death.

(F) A new FCM eligibility determination in SACWIS must be completed if a bridges participant is terminated from bridges or voluntarily leaves the program and reenters the program by signing a new VPA.

(G) Title IV-E program reimbursability shall be determined for a bridges participant who is Title IV-E FCM program eligible at the time all parties signed the VPA. A Title IV-E FCM program eligible bridges participant shall be reimbursable when both of the following apply:

(1) The bridges participant's countable income is less than the cost of care paid by the Title IV-E agency.

(2) The bridges participant is residing in an approved supervised independent living setting, pursuant to rule 5101:2-50-06 of the Administrative Code and in accordance with section 5101.1411 of the Revised Code.

(H) The bridges participant is no longer program reimbursable for Title IV-E when any of the following occur:

(1) Reasonable efforts to finalize the permanency plan are not met in accordance with section 472(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the "Act" and 45 C.F.R. 1356.21(b)(2)(2012).

(2) The bridges participant is not residing in an approved supervised independent living setting, as outlined in paragraph (G)(2) of this rule.

(I) Title IV-E FCM reimbursement may be claimed for payments made toward an approved supervised independent living setting while a bridges participant is in one of the following types of leave, if the leave does not exceed fourteen calendar days and the bridges participant returns to the same living setting he or she was in prior to the leave:

(1) Whereabouts unknown;

(2) Hospital; or

(3) Vacation.

(J) Bridges participants who are otherwise Title IV-E FCM program eligible are not program reimbursable during their period of residence in the following settings or categories:

(1) Incarceration facilities;

(2) The home of a bridges participant's removal parent(s) or guardian(s); and

(3) Housing that is deemed uninhabitable.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 12/11/2017

Rule 5101:2-50-05 | Bridges appeal process.

• Effective: February 7, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

This rule describes the appeals process for an individual who has been denied or terminated from bridges.

(A) Any individual who was denied enrollment to bridges or who was terminated from bridges may request a state hearing, as described in paragraph (B) of this rule by submitting a JFS 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form."

(B) In the event an individual receives a denial notice pursuant to rule 5101:2-50-02 of the Administrative Code or a termination notice pursuant to rule 5101:2-50-03 of the Administrative Code, the individual has the right to appeal the decision by requesting a state hearing.

(1) The individual has ninety calendar days from the mailing date of the denial or termination notice to request a state hearing. If the ninetieth day falls on a weekend or holiday, then the next business day shall be recorded as the ninetieth day.

(2) If the individual submits a hearing request to the state or local agency within fifteen calendar days of the mailing date of the termination notice, then bridges benefits shall continue pursuant to division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code until a state hearing decision is issued.

(3) The individual may withdraw the state hearing request at any time prior to a state hearing decision being issued.

(C) The JFS 01622 issued by ODJFS is to be sent by U.S. mail or hand delivered to the individual. While the individual may also choose to receive electronic notices, any electronic notifications will be in addition to, and not in place of, notification by U.S. mail or in-person delivery.

(D) An individual may submit their JFS 01622 through the following methods:

(1) U.S. mail;

(2) Email;

(3) Facsimile; or

(4) Verbal request by contacting the bridges notice provider, ODJFS, or bureau of state hearings.

(E) Rules 5101:6-6-01 to 5101:6-6-04 of the Administrative Code detail the process for preparing and conducting state hearings.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025

Rule 5101:2-50-06 | Bridges approved supervised independent living settings and visitation requirements.

• Effective: February 7, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Pursuant to rule 5101:2-50-04 of the Administrative Code, a Title IV-E FCM program eligible bridges participant is reimbursable when the bridges participant is residing in an approved supervised independent living setting.

(B) ODJFS approved supervised independent living settings include:

(1) Leased housing;

(2) Room and board arrangements including in-home, supportive in-home and host homes;

(3) College or university dormitories;

(4) Emergency housing;

(5) Community and supervised community housing; and

(6) Shared roommate settings.

(C) ODJFS is the final decision making authority in the determination if a supervised independent living setting is considered approved or unapproved.

(D) A bridges participant is to reside in an approved supervised independent living setting to maintain Title IV-E FCM program reimbursable status.

(E) Reimbursable approved supervised independent living settings located outside of Ohio are limited to the settings described in paragraph (B) of this rule.

(F) The bridges representative is to conduct face to face visits every thirty calendar days with the bridges participant, even if their living setting is not considered Title IV-E program reimbursable, while enrolled in bridges. These visits are to occur in their approved supervised independent living setting, if applicable, or their non-reimbursable living setting.

If the bridges participant's living setting is a college or university dormitory, the monthly face to face visit may occur on campus by the bridges representative at a location other than the participant's dormitory room, at the request of the participant.

(G) Face to face visits every thirty calendar days are to be conducted by the bridges representative for each minor dependent, in the approved supervised independent living setting, for which a dependent add-on cost is provided.

(H) If the circumstances of the case necessitate more than one visit every thirty calendar days, additional face to face visits are to be conducted by the bridges representative.

(I) The bridges representative is to conduct courtesy monthly face to face visits for Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 eligible emancipated young adults placed into an approved supervised independent living setting in Ohio through the "Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children" process.

(J) In order to request courtesy monthly face to face visits of an Ohio bridges participant residing in another state, the bridges representative is to follow the directives outlined in Chapter 5101:2-52 of the Administrative Code and the regulations of the interstate compact located at: http://icpc.aphsa.org/content/AAICPC/en/ICPCRegulations.html.

(K) Visits for bridges participants are to be documented in the bridges case record in the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) and at a minimum, address the following through observation and information obtained during the visit:

(1) The safety and well-being of the bridges participant, and any dependent minor child, within the approved supervised independent living setting;

(2) The progress of the bridges participant toward their bridges case plan goals; and

(3) Any new or pertinent information that is affecting the bridges participant.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025

Rule 5101:2-50-07 | Bridges assessment, plan and review.

• Effective: February 7, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

This rule describes the requirements regarding the bridges assessment and plan that is to be completed while a participant is enrolled in bridges.

(A) A bridges representative is to complete a bridges assessment within fifteen calendar days of the effective date of the JFS 01617 "Bridges Voluntary Participation Agreement" and :

(1) Assist the bridges participant in completing all applicable sections of the assessment; and

(2) Help the bridges participant begin to identify short and long-term goals that will be utilized for the bridges plan.

(B) A bridges plan is to be completed with participant's signature within forty-five calendar days of the JFS 01617 effective date. A bridges representative works with the bridges participant to develop a bridges plan. The plan is personalized at the direction of the participant and as detailed as the participant chooses, which includes a review of the final transition plan completed by the public children services agency (PCSA) or private child placing agency (PCPA) as outlined in rule 5101:2-42-19 of the Administrative Code.

(1) The plan is to include options regarding:

(a) Health care, including:

(i) Health insurance;

(ii) Healthcare power of attorney; and

(iii) Participants option to execute power of attorney.

(b) Employment services and workforce supports.

(c) Secondary and post-secondary education and training.

(d) Obtaining and paying for housing.

(e) Mentor opportunities and ongoing supportive services.

(2) A copy of the plan with participant's signature is to be provided to the bridges participant within seven calendar days of the participant's signature date.

(3) The bridges plan may be amended at any time.

(C) The bridges plan is to be reviewed, approved, and participant's signature obtained ninety calendar days after its approval date with subsequent reviews occurring every ninety calendar days thereafter. The following occurs during the review:

(1) Review of the bridges participant's current goals. The participant will have the option to continue to work on the selected goals or create new ones;

(2) Services identified on the bridges plan are to be reviewed to ensure the services are assisting the participant in completing their goal or if change in service provision is needed; and

(3) Verify the bridges participant's current program eligibility.

(D) After the completion of the review, an updated plan is to be completed within seven calendar days of the review approval date, if the bridges participant would like to modify an existing goal or add a new goal.

(E) A copy of the current signed bridges plan and review is to be submitted to the court fourteen calendar days prior to any scheduled bridges court hearing.

(F) All bridges assessments, plans, and reviews are recorded and uploaded into the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS).

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025

Rule 5101:2-50-08 | Case records for bridges.

• Effective: February 7, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Bridges representatives are to record case information in the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS). Case information that cannot be recorded in SACWIS is to be maintained as hard copy files, electronic files or as a combination of both.

(B) All bridges case records prepared, maintained, and permanently kept by the bridges representative are confidential. Information contained in SACWIS is confidential pursuant to section 5101.131 of the Revised Code. Access to bridges case records and the release of bridges case record information is to be conducted pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements outlined in rule 5101:2-33-21 of the Administrative Code.

(C) The bridges representative is to prepare, maintain, and permanently keep records for all of the following:

(1) Bridges assessment reports;

(2) Bridges plan reports;

(3) Bridges review reports;

(4) Bridges eligibility documentation, including, but not limited to and as applicable;

(a) Application eligibility documents;

(b) Ongoing eligibility documents;

(c) Provisional agreement document;

(d) Bridges eligibility acknowledgement form;

(e) JFS 01621 "Voluntary Withdrawal Request";

(f) JFS 01619 "Notice of Ineligibility"; and

(g) JFS 01620 "Notice of Termination."

(5) Bridges authorization to exchange information; and

(6) Tier screening tool.

(D) The bridges representative is to prepare, maintain and permanently keep records on all cases for which the bridges representative provided the following services including but not limited to:

(1) Transition planning services:

(a) Transition plans;

(b) Health and education records;

(c) Bridges participants' budgets; and

(d) Life skills development records.

(2) Housing services:

(a) Host home agreement;

(b) Lease agreement and other housing agreements; and

(c) Eviction notices.

(E) Each case record prepared, maintained and permanently kept in accordance with this rule is to include the following information, but not limited to and as applicable:

(1) Reports from service providers, including but not limited to:

(a) Medical reports;

(b) Educational reports;

(c) Psychological reports;

(d) Diagnostic reports; and

(e) Treatment reports.

(2) Copies of applications and documentation supporting eligibility determinations made for financial or social service support programs including, but not limited to:

(a) Ohio works first (OWF);

(b) Prevention, retention, and contingency (PRC) program;

(c) Medical assistance; and

(d) Supplemental social security income (SSI).

(3) Correspondence pertaining to the bridges participant.

(4) A copy of any juvenile court:

(a) Orders;

(b) Findings;

(c) Written determinations; and

(d) Journalized entries.

(5) A copy of the bridges participant's social security card.

(6) A copy of the bridges participant's birth certificate.

(F) The bridges representative is to maintain case records that cannot be maintained in SACWIS in a consistent and organized manner such that information set forth in this rule can be readily located. If the bridges representative maintains any information set forth in this rule in a location other than the case record, it is to be noted in the case record where the information can be found.

(G) When requested by the bridgdes participant, copies of the case records as outlined in paragraphs (C)(1) to (C)(5), (D), and (E)(4) to (E)(6) of this rule are to be provided to the bridges participant.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5101.1414
Amplifies: 5101.1411, 5101.1412, 5101.1413
Five Year Review Date: 2/7/2025