5101:1-3-12.3 Work experience program (WEP).

(A) Conflict with Revised Code

(1) Section (5) of Amended Substitute Senate Bill 238 of the 126th General Assembly (09/06) sets forth the following provision: Not later than September 30, 2006, the director of job and family services shall adopt rules as necessary for the state to comply with 42 U.S.C. 607(i)(2) (08/96). If necessary to bring the state into compliance with 42 U.S.C. 607(i)(2) (08/96), the rules may deviate from Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code. Rules adopted under this section that govern financial and other administrative requirements applicable to the department of job and family services and county departments of job and family services shall be adopted in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code as if they were internal management rules. All other rules adopted under this section shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) The county department of job and family services (CDJFS) shall administer the work activity programs in accordance with the requirements contained in this rule and not in accordance with sections 5107.40, 5107.54, 5107.541 and 5107.61 of the Revised Code.

(3) All applicable requirements contained in the Revised Code sections referenced in paragraph (A)(2) of this rule have been incorporated in this rule.

(B) Definition and requirements

(1) Work experience means a work activity, performed in return for welfare, that provides an individual with an opportunity to acquire the general skills, knowledge and work habits necessary to obtain employment.

(2) Work experience includes work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing and service as an Ohio works first (OWF) ombudsperson pursuant to section 329.07 of the Revised Code.

(3) The following activities do not meet the definition of WEP:

(a) Job search and job readiness activities;

(b) Vocational education;

(d) Attending medical appointments.

Hours assigned to the work experience program are subject to the FLSA requirements pursuant to paragraph (J) of rule 5101:1-3-12 of the Administrative Code.

(D) Work eligible individuals assigned to work experience are not employees of the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) or a CDJFS. The operation of a work experience program does not constitute the operation of an employment agency by ODJFS.

(E) Each CDJFS shall make a list of work experience sites available to the public.

(F) Unless a CDJFS pays the premiums for an entity, a private or government entity with which a work eligible individual is placed for work experience activities shall pay premiums to the bureau of workers’ compensation on account of the work eligible individual.

(G) School volunteer or classroom aide

(1) Assignments pursuant to this paragraph must meet the definition of work experience pursuant to paragraph (B) of this rule.

(2) A CDJFS may contract with the chief administrator of a nonpublic school or with any school district board of education that has adopted a resolution under section 3319.089 of the Revised Code to provide for a work-eligible individual who has a minor child enrolled in the nonpublic school or a public school in the district to be assigned under the work experience program to volunteer or work for compensation at the school in which the child is enrolled.

(3) Unless it is not possible or practical, a contract shall provide for a participant to volunteer or work at the school as a classroom aide. If that is impossible or impractical, the contract may provide for the participant to volunteer to work in another position at the school.

(4) A contract may provide for the nonpublic school or board of education to receive funding to pay for coordinating, training, and supervising participants volunteering or working in schools.

(5) Notwithstanding section 3319.088 of the Revised Code, a participant volunteering or working as a classroom aide under this section is not required to obtain an educational aide permit or paraprofessional license. The participant shall not be considered an employee of a political subdivision for purposes of Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code and is not entitled to any immunity or defense available under that chapter, the common law of this state, or section 9.86 of the Revised Code.

Effective: 10/01/2008

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/29/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5107.05, Section 5 of Amended Substitute Senate Bill 238 of the 126th General Assembly

Rule Amplifies: 5107.05

Prior Effective Dates: 9/29/2006 (Emer.), 12/29/2006