Chapter 329 | County Department of Job and Family Services

Section 329.01 | County department of job and family services - director, assistants, bonds.

• Effective: March 20, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 291 - 132nd General Assembly

In each county, except as provided in section 329.40 of the Revised Code, there shall be a county department of job and family services which, when so established, shall be governed by this chapter. The department shall consist of a county director of job and family services appointed by the board of county commissioners, and such assistants and other employees as are necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the county department. Except as otherwise provided in section 3.061 of the Revised Code, before entering upon the discharge of the director's official duties, the director shall give a bond, conditioned for the faithful performance of those official duties, in such sum as fixed by the board. The director may require any assistant or employee under the director's jurisdiction to give a bond in such sum as determined by the board. All bonds given under this section shall be with a surety or bonding company authorized to do business in this state, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of such director, assistant, or employee. The expense or premium for any bond required by this section shall be paid from the appropriation for administrative expenses of the department. Such bond shall be deposited with the county treasurer and kept in the treasurer's office.

As used in the Revised Code:

(A) "County department of job and family services" means the county department of job and family services established under this section, including an entity designated a county department of job and family services under section 307.981 of the Revised Code, or a joint county department of job and family services established under section 329.40 of the Revised Code.

(B) "County director of job and family services" means the county director of job and family services appointed under this section or under section 329.41 of the Revised Code.

Section 329.011 | References to welfare or human services department or director are to job and family services.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 470 - 123rd General Assembly

Whenever the county department of welfare, county department of human services, county director of welfare, or county director of human services is referred to or designated in the Revised Code or any rule, contract, or other document, the reference or designation shall be deemed to refer to the county department of job and family services or county director of job and family services, as the case may be.

Section 329.02 | County director of job and family services powers and duties.

• Effective: July 1, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 187 - 126th General Assembly

Under the control and direction of the board of county commissioners, the county director of job and family services shall have full charge of the county department of job and family services. The director shall prepare the annual budget estimate of the department and submit it to the board. Before submitting the budget estimate to the board, the director shall consider the recommendations of the county family services planning committee relative to that estimate. The director, with the approval of the board, shall appoint all necessary assistants and superintendents of institutions under the jurisdiction of the department, and all other employees of the department, except that the superintendent of each such institution shall appoint all employees in it and only the board may appoint administrators under section 329.021 of the Revised Code. Except for administrators appointed under section 329.021 of the Revised Code and up to five other administrative positions, the assistants and other employees of the department shall be in the classified civil service and may not be placed in or removed to the unclassified service. If no eligible list is available, a probationary appointment shall be made until an eligible list is available.

Each director appointed on or after October 5, 1987, shall be in the unclassified civil service and serve at the pleasure of the board. If a person holding a classified position in the department is appointed as director on or after that date and is later removed by the board, except for a reason listed in section 124.34 of the Revised Code, the person so removed has the right to resume the position the person held in the classified service immediately prior to being appointed as director, or if that position no longer exists or has become an unclassified position, the person shall be appointed to a position in the classified service that the board, with the approval of the director of administrative services, determines is equivalent to the position the person held immediately prior to being appointed as director.

The board, except as provided in this chapter, may provide by resolution for the coordination of the operations of the department and those of any county institution whose board or managing officer is appointed by the board of county commissioners.

The board of county commissioners may enter into a written contract with a county director of job and family services specifying terms and conditions of the director's employment. The period of the contract shall not exceed three years. In addition to any review specified in the contract, the contract shall be subject to review and renegotiation for a period of thirty days, from the sixtieth to the ninetieth days after the beginning of the term of any newly elected commissioner. Such a contract shall in no way abridge the right of the board to terminate the employment of the director as an unclassified employee at will, but may specify terms and conditions of any such termination.

Section 329.021 | Administrators to oversee services provided by county department of job and family services.

• Effective: March 23, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 56 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The board of county commissioners may, in addition to the county director of job and family services, appoint administrators to oversee services provided by the county department of job and family services, subject to the following limitations:

(1) If the county has a population of five hundred thousand or more, the board may appoint up to five administrators.

(2) If the county has a population of two hundred and fifty thousand or more, but less than five hundred thousand, the board may appoint up to four administrators.

(3) If the county has a population of one hundred thousand or more, but less than two hundred and fifty thousand, the board may appoint up to three administrators.

(4) If the county has a population of forty thousand or more, but less than one hundred thousand, the board may appoint up to two administrators.

(5) If the county has a population of less than forty thousand, the board may appoint one administrator.

(B) The administrators appointed by the board of county commissioners under this section shall be in the unclassified civil service and serve at the pleasure of the board. However, no administrator position that is filled by a person serving in the classified service on July 1, 2007, shall be placed in the unclassified civil service until that person vacates the position.

(C) The board of county commissioners may appoint a person who holds a certified position in the classified service within the county department of job and family services to the position of administrator. A person appointed to the position of administrator pursuant to this division and later removed by the board retains the right to resume the position in the classified service held by that person immediately prior to being appointed to the position of administrator, except that a person first appointed to a classified position in the department on or after July 1, 2007, shall retain the right to resume the position in the classified service for only six months after being appointed to the position of administrator. An employee forfeits the right to resume a position in the classified service when the employee is removed from the position of administrator due to incompetence, inefficiency, dishonesty, drunkenness, immoral conduct, insubordination, discourteous treatment of the public, neglect of duty, violation of any policy or work rule of the board or department, violation of Chapter 124. of the Revised Code or the rules of the director of administrative services, any other failure of good behavior, any other acts of misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or conviction of a felony while employed in the civil service. If the position the person previously held in the classified service no longer exists or has been placed in the unclassified service, the person shall be appointed to a position in the classified service of the department that is equivalent to the classified position the person previously held, as determined by the board with the approval of the director of administrative services.

(D) As used in this section, "administrator" means assistant director, fiscal officer or director, personnel officer or director, social services administrator, income maintenance administrator, child support administrator in a combined agency, children services administrator in a combined agency, and workforce development administrator in a combined agency.

Section 329.022 | Employees.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

Within the appropriation for personal services, each county department of job and family services may employ the necessary employees who, except for the county director of job and family services as provided in section 329.02 of the Revised Code, shall be in the classified service. Compensation for positions in each service, group, or grade established by the director of administrative services shall not be less than the minimum nor more than the maximum rates established by the director for such positions. The department of job and family services shall cooperate with the director in establishing the qualifications of persons to be employed and the classification and rates of compensation of county department employees.

Section 329.023 | Hours of operation outside county department's normal hours of operation.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

Each county department of job and family services shall have hours of operation outside the county department's normal hours of operation during which the county department will accept from employed individuals applications for the programs administered by the county department and assist employed program recipients and participants with matters related to the programs.

Section 329.03 | Direct deposit system for distributing cash assistance payments under Ohio works first or refugee assistance program.

• Effective: December 31, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "applicant" or "recipient" means either of the following:

(1) An applicant for or participant in the Ohio works first program established under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code;

(2) An applicant for or recipient of cash assistance provided under the refugee assistance program established under section 5101.49 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each county department of job and family services shall establish a direct deposit system under which cash assistance payments to recipients who agree to direct deposit are made by electronic transfer to an account in a financial institution designated under this section. No financial institution shall impose any charge for such an account that the institution does not impose on its other customers for the same type of account. Direct deposit does not affect the exemption of Ohio works first from attachment, garnishment, or other like process afforded by section 5107.75 of the Revised Code.

(C) Each county department of job and family services shall do all of the following:

(1) Inform each applicant or recipient that the applicant or recipient must choose whether to receive cash assistance payments under the direct deposit system established under this section or under the electronic benefit transfer system established under section 5101.33 of the Revised Code;

(2) Inform each applicant and recipient of the conditions under which the applicant or recipient may change the system used to receive the cash assistance payments;

(3) Inform each applicant or recipient of the procedures governing the direct deposit system;

(4) If an applicant or recipient chooses to receive cash assistance payments under the direct deposit system, obtain from the applicant or recipient an authorization form to designate a financial institution equipped for and authorized by law to accept direct deposits by electronic transfer and the account into which the applicant or recipient wishes the payments to be made;

(5) If an applicant or recipient chooses to receive cash assistance payments under the electronic benefit transfer system established under section 5101.33 of the Revised Code, obtain from the applicant or recipient a signed form to that effect.

The department may require a recipient to complete a new authorization form whenever the department considers it necessary.

A recipient's designation of a financial institution and account shall remain in effect until withdrawn in writing or dishonored by the financial institution, except that no change may be made in the authorization form until the next eligibility redetermination of the recipient unless the county department determines that good cause exists for an earlier change or the financial institution dishonors the recipient's account.

(D) An applicant or recipient without an account who completes an authorization form to receive cash assistance payments by direct deposit shall have ten days after receiving the authorization form to designate an account suitable for direct deposit. If within the required time the applicant or recipient does not make the designation, the recipient shall receive cash assistance payments under the electronic benefit transfer system established under section 5101.33 of the Revised Code.

(E) The director of job and family services may adopt rules governing direct deposit systems established under this section.

Section 329.04 | Powers and duties of department - control by county commissioners.

• Effective: December 31, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The county department of job and family services shall have, exercise, and perform the following powers and duties:

(1) Perform any duties assigned by the state department of job and family services or department of medicaid regarding the provision of public family services, including the provision of the following services to prevent or reduce economic or personal dependency and to strengthen family life:

(a) Services authorized by a Title IV-A program, as defined in section 5101.80 of the Revised Code;

(b) Social services authorized by Title XX of the "Social Security Act" and provided for by section 5101.46 or 5101.461 of the Revised Code;

(c) If the county department is designated as the child support enforcement agency, services authorized by Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act" and provided for by Chapter 3125. of the Revised Code. The county department may perform the services itself or contract with other government entities, and, pursuant to division (C) of section 2301.35 and section 2301.42 of the Revised Code, private entities, to perform the Title IV-D services.

(d) Duties assigned under section 5162.031 of the Revised Code.

(2) Administer burials insofar as the administration of burials was, prior to September 12, 1947, imposed upon the board of county commissioners and if otherwise required by state law;

(3) Cooperate with state and federal authorities in any matter relating to family services and to act as the agent of such authorities;

(4) Submit an annual account of its work and expenses to the board of county commissioners and to the state department of job and family services and department of medicaid at the close of each fiscal year;

(5) Exercise any powers and duties relating to family services duties or workforce development activities imposed upon the county department of job and family services by law, by resolution of the board of county commissioners, or by order of the governor, when authorized by law, to meet emergencies during war or peace;

(6) Enter into a plan of cooperation with the board of county commissioners under section 307.983, consult with the board in the development of the transportation work plan developed under section 307.985, establish with the board procedures under section 307.986 for providing services to children whose families relocate frequently, and comply with the contracts the board enters into under sections 307.981 and 307.982 of the Revised Code that affect the county department;

(7) For the purpose of complying with a grant agreement the board of county commissioners enters into under sections 307.98 and 5101.21 of the Revised Code, exercise the powers and perform the duties the grant agreement assigns to the county department.

(B) The powers and duties of a county department of job and family services are, and shall be exercised and performed, under the control and direction of the board of county commissioners. The board may assign to the county department any power or duty of the board regarding family services duties and workforce development activities. If the new power or duty necessitates the state department of job and family services or department of medicaid changing its federal cost allocation plan, the county department may not implement the power or duty unless the United States department of health and human services approves the changes.

Last updated September 25, 2023 at 3:46 PM

Section 329.041 | Meetings with transit representatives to discuss transportation needs of Ohio works first participants.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

In each county in which there is a county transit board established by section 306.01 of the Revised Code, a county transit system operated under that section, or a regional transit authority created under section 306.32 of the Revised Code, the county department of job and family services shall meet not less than once each calendar quarter with transit representatives of the board, system, or authority. The department and transit representatives shall discuss the transportation needs of the county's Ohio works first participants, review existing efforts and develop new options to meet those needs, and measure the accomplishments of those efforts.

Section 329.042 | Participation in federal food stamp program.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

Each county department of job and family services shall certify eligible public assistance and nonpublic assistance households for the supplemental nutrition assistance program in accordance with federal and state law to enable low-income households to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program and thereby to purchase foods having a greater monetary value than is possible under public assistance standard allowances or other low-income budgets.

Each county department of job and family services shall administer the distribution of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the supervision of the department of job and family services. The benefits shall be distributed by a method approved by the department of job and family services in accordance with the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) and regulations issued thereunder.

Section 329.05 | Administering other state or local family services activity.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

The county department of job and family services may administer or assist in administering any state or local family services duty in addition to those mentioned in section 329.04 of the Revised Code, supported wholly or in part by public funds from any source provided by agreement between the board of county commissioners and the officer, department, board, or agency in which the administration of such activity is vested. Such officer, department, board, or agency may enter into such agreement and confer upon the county department of job and family services, to the extent and in particulars specified in the agreement, the performance of any duties and the exercise of any powers imposed upon or vested in such officer, board, department, or agency, with respect to the administration of such activity. Such agreement shall be in the form of a resolution of the board of county commissioners, accepted in writing by the other party to the agreement, and filed in the office of the county auditor, and when so filed, shall have the effect of transferring the exercise of the powers and duties to which the agreement relates and shall exempt the other party from all further responsibility for the exercise of the powers and duties so transferred, during the life of the agreement.

Such agreement shall be coordinated and not conflict with a grant agreement entered into under sections 307.98 and 5101.21, a contract entered into under section 307.981 or 307.982, a plan of cooperation entered into under section 307.983, a regional plan of cooperation entered into under section 307.984, a transportation work plan developed under section 307.985, or procedures for providing services to children whose families relocate frequently established under section 307.986 of the Revised Code. It may be revoked at the option of either party, by a resolution or order of the revoking party filed in the office of the auditor. Such revocation shall become effective at the end of the fiscal year occurring at least six months following the filing of the resolution or order. In the absence of such an express revocation so filed, the agreement shall continue indefinitely.

This section does not permit a county department of job and family services to manage or control hospitals, humane societies, detention facilities, jails or probation departments of courts, or veterans service commissions.

Section 329.051 | Making voter registration applications available.

• Effective: December 31, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The county department of job and family services shall make voter registration applications as prescribed by the secretary of state under section 3503.10 of the Revised Code available to persons who are applying for, receiving assistance from, or participating in any of the following:

(A) The medicaid program;

(B) The Ohio works first program established under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code;

(C) The prevention, retention, and contingency program established under Chapter 5108. of the Revised Code.

Section 329.06 | County family services planning committee.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the board of county commissioners shall establish a county family services planning committee. The board shall appoint a member to represent the county department of job and family services; an employee in the classified civil service of the county department of job and family services, if there are any such employees; and a member to represent the public. The board shall appoint other individuals to the committee in such a manner that the committee's membership is broadly representative of the groups of individuals and the public and private entities that have an interest in the family services provided in the county. The board shall make appointments in a manner that reflects the ethnic and racial composition of the county. The following groups and entities may be represented on the committee:

(1) Consumers of family services;

(2) The public children services agency;

(3) The child support enforcement agency;

(4) The county family and children first council;

(5) Public and private colleges and universities;

(6) Public entities that provide family services, including boards of health, boards of education, the county board of developmental disabilities, and the board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that serves the county;

(7) Private nonprofit and for-profit entities that provide family services in the county or that advocate for consumers of family services in the county, including entities that provide services to or advocate for victims of domestic violence;

(8) Labor organizations;

(9) Any other group or entity that has an interest in the family services provided in the county, including groups or entities that represent any of the county's business, urban, and rural sectors.

(B) The county family services planning committee shall do all of the following:

(1) Serve as an advisory body to the board of county commissioners with regard to the family services provided in the county, including assistance under Chapters 5107. and 5108. of the Revised Code, publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code, and social services provided under section 5101.46 of the Revised Code;

(2) At least once a year, review and analyze the county department of job and family services' implementation of the programs established under Chapters 5107. and 5108. of the Revised Code. In its review, the committee shall use information available to it to examine all of the following:

(a) Return of assistance groups to participation in either program after ceasing to participate;

(b) Teen pregnancy rates among the programs' participants;

(c) The other types of assistance the programs' participants receive, including medicaid, publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under section 5101.54 of the Revised Code, and energy assistance under Chapter 5117. of the Revised Code;

(d) Other issues the committee considers appropriate.

The committee shall make recommendations to the board of county commissioners and county department of job and family services regarding the committee's findings.

(3) Conduct public hearings on proposed county profiles for the provision of social services under section 5101.46 of the Revised Code;

(4) At the request of the board, make recommendations and provide assistance regarding the family services provided in the county;

(5) At any other time the committee considers appropriate, consult with the board and make recommendations regarding the family services provided in the county. The committee's recommendations may address the following:

(a) Implementation and administration of family service programs;

(b) Use of federal, state, and local funds available for family service programs;

(c) Establishment of goals to be achieved by family service programs;

(d) Evaluation of the outcomes of family service programs;

(e) Any other matter the board considers relevant to the provision of family services.

(C) If there is a committee in existence in a county on October 1, 1997, that the board of county commissioners determines is capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of a county family services planning committee, the board may designate the committee as the county's family services planning committee and the committee shall serve in that capacity.

Section 329.061 | References to county human services planning committee are to county family services planning committee.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 470 - 123rd General Assembly

Wherever a county human services planning committee is referred to or designated in the Revised Code or any rule, contract, or other document, the reference or designation shall be deemed to refer to a county family services planning committee.

Section 329.07 | Duties and qualifications of Ohio works first ombudsperson.

• Effective: June 30, 2000
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 245 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in this section, "Ohio works first" and, "Title IV-A" have the same meanings as in section 5107.02 of the Revised Code.

Each county department of job and family services shall have at least one Ohio works first ombudsperson. A county department may provide for an Ohio works first participant who resides in the county the county department serves and is qualified to perform the duties of an ombudsperson to be an ombudsperson. If no Ohio works first participant residing in the county the county department serves is qualified to perform the duties of an ombudsperson, the county department shall provide for one or more employees of the county department to be ombudspersons or contract with a person or government entity for the person or entity to perform the duties of an ombudsperson for the county department. To the extent permitted by federal law, the county department may use funds available under Title IV-A to provide for county department employees or a person or government entity under contract with the county department to perform the duties of an ombudsperson.

An Ohio works first ombudsperson shall help Ohio works first applicants and participants resolve complaints the applicants and participants have about the administration of Ohio works first.

The department of job and family services shall maintain a toll-free telephone number an Ohio works first assistance group may call to obtain the telephone number of an Ohio works first ombudsperson.

Section 329.09 | Moneys received considered appropriated for purposes for which received.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

All moneys received by each county from the state, or from the federal government under the "Social Security Act," or any act of the congress amendatory of or in substitution for such act, for Ohio works first under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code, the prevention, retention, and contingency program under Chapter 5108. of the Revised Code, or for any other welfare activity, shall be considered appropriated for the purposes for which such moneys were received.

Section 329.10 | Property and records transferred to county department of job and family services.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

All the property, records, files, and other documents and papers used in and necessary for the performance of the functions belonging to or in the possession of any board, agency, or department, the powers and duties of which are transferred to the county department of job and family services, and the proceeds of all tax levies in process of collection for the use of such boards, agencies, or departments shall be transferred to the county department of job and family services, when established. At the time the exercise of any powers and duties of any other board, agency, or department are transferred to the county department of job and family services, or to any other board, agency, or department, all the property, records, files, and other documents and papers, the unexpended balances of all current appropriations, and the unappropriated proceeds of all tax levies then in process of collection for the use of such board, agency, or department shall be deemed transferred to the board, agency, or department to which such duties have been transferred.

Section 329.11 | Individual development account definitions.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

As used in sections 329.11 to 329.14 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Eligible education institution" means an institution described in 20 U.S.C. 1088(a)(1) or 1141(a), as amended, or an area vocational education school as defined in 20 U.S.C. 2471(4), as amended.

(B) "Federal poverty line" has the same meaning as in section 5104.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Fiduciary organization" means a nonprofit fundraising organization exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501 (a) and (c)(3).

(D) "Financial institution" includes a bank, trust company, savings and loan association, savings bank, or credit union authorized to do business under federal law or the laws of this state.

(E) "Funds available" means the amount available to a fiduciary organization for the purpose of matching funds deposited by program participants.

(F) "Individual development account" means a trust created or organized in the United States pursuant to an individual development account program established under section 329.12 of the Revised Code to enable an individual eligible to participate in the program to accumulate funds for the purposes specified in section 329.14 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Nonprofit microenterprise program" means a program under which loans and assistance are provided to low-income persons for the purpose of starting or operating a small business.

(H) "Postsecondary educational expenses" means both of the following:

(1) Tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student at an eligible education institution;

(2) Fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at an eligible education institution.

(I) "Qualified acquisition costs" means the costs associated with acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing a residence, including any ordinary or reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs.

(J) "Qualified business" means any business formed for a purpose for which persons lawfully may associate themselves.

(K) "Qualified business plan" means a plan that includes a description of services or goods to be sold, a marketing plan, and projected financial statements.

Section 329.12 | Establishing individual development account program.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) A county department of job and family services may establish an individual development account program for residents of the county. The program shall provide for establishment of accounts for participants and acceptance of contributions from individuals and entities, including the county department, to be used as matching funds for deposit in the accounts.

(B) A county department shall select a fiduciary organization to administer its individual development account program. In selecting a fiduciary organization, the department shall consider all of the following regarding the organization:

(1) Its ability to market the program to potential participants and matching fund contributors;

(2) Its ability to invest money in the accounts in a way that provides for return with minimal risk of loss;

(3) Its overall administrative capacity, including the ability to verify eligibility of individuals for participation in the program, prevent unauthorized use of matching contributions, and enforce any penalties for unauthorized uses that may be provided for by rule adopted by the director of job and family services under section 5101.971 of the Revised Code;

(4) Its ability to provide financial counseling to participants;

(5) Its affiliation with other activities designed to increase the independence of individuals and families through postsecondary education, home ownership, and business development;

(6) Any other factor the county department considers appropriate.

(C) At the time it commences the program and on the first day of each subsequent program year, the county department may make a grant to the fiduciary organization to pay all or part of the administrative costs of the program.

(D) The county department shall require the fiduciary organization to collect and maintain information regarding the program, including all of the following:

(1) The number of accounts established;

(2) The amount deposited by each participant and the amount matched by contributions;

(3) The uses of funds withdrawn from the account, including the number of participants who used funds for postsecondary educational expenses and the institutions attended, the number of personal residences purchased, and the number of participants who used funds for business capitalization;

(4) The demographics of program participants;

(5) The number of participants who withdrew from the program and the reasons for withdrawal.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 10:53 AM

Section 329.13 | Establishing individual development account.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

A fiduciary organization may establish an individual development account only in a financial institution insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation or in accordance with section 1733.041 of the Revised Code.

Not later than the thirtieth day of January of each year, a fiduciary organization shall determine whether the amount it deposited into individual development accounts from contributions made by individuals or entities that are not corporations during the previous calendar year was less than fifty per cent of the funds available from contributions made by individuals or entities that are not corporations for that year. A fiduciary organization may not accept any additional contributions from individuals or entities that are not corporations for the purpose of matching funds deposited by program participants until it has deposited at least fifty per cent of the funds available from contributions made by individuals or entities that are not corporations for the previous calendar year into individual development accounts. Not later than the thirtieth day of January of the year following each fifth year after the effective date of this section, a fiduciary organization shall determine whether the amount it deposited into individual development accounts from contributions made by corporations during the previous five-year period was less than fifty per cent of the funds available from contributions made by corporations during that period. A fiduciary organization may not accept any additional contributions from corporations for the purpose of matching funds deposited by program participants until it has deposited at least fifty per cent of the funds available from contributions made by corporations for the previous five-year period into individual development accounts.

Section 329.14 | Eligibility to participate in individual development account program.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) An individual whose household income does not exceed two hundred per cent of the federal poverty line is eligible to participate in an individual development account program established by the county department of job and family services of the county in which the individual resides. An eligible individual seeking to be a participant in the program shall enter into an agreement with the fiduciary organization administering the program. The agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of uses of funds deposited, financial documentation required to be maintained by the participant, expectations and responsibilities of the participant, and services to be provided by the fiduciary organization.

(B) A participant may deposit earned income, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 911(d)(2), as amended, into the account. The fiduciary organization may deposit into the account an amount not exceeding four times the amount deposited by the participant except that a fiduciary organization may not, pursuant to an agreement with an employer, deposit an amount into an account held by a participant who is employed by the employer. An account may have no more than ten thousand dollars in it at any time.

(C) Notwithstanding eligibility requirements established in or pursuant to Chapter 5107. or 5108. of the Revised Code, to the extent permitted by federal statutes and regulations, money in an individual development account, including interest, is exempt from consideration in determining whether the participant or a member of the participant's assistance group is eligible for assistance under Chapter 5107. or 5108. of the Revised Code and the amount of assistance the participant or assistance group is eligible to receive.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, an individual development account program participant may use money in the account only for the following purposes:

(a) Postsecondary educational expenses paid directly from the account to an eligible education institution or vendor;

(b) Qualified acquisition expenses of a principal residence, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1034, as amended, paid directly from the account to the person or government entity to which the expenses are due;

(c) Qualified business capitalization expenses made in accordance with a qualified business plan that has been approved by a financial institution or by a nonprofit microenterprise program having demonstrated business expertise and paid directly from the account to the person to whom the expenses are due.

(2) A fiduciary organization shall permit a participant to withdraw money deposited by the participant if it is needed to deal with a personal emergency of the participant or a member of the participant's family or household. Withdrawal shall result in the loss of any matching funds in an amount equal to the amount of the withdrawal.

(3) Regardless of the reason for the withdrawal, a withdrawal from an individual development account may be made only with the approval of the fiduciary organization.

Section 329.19 | Identification card for assistance program administered by county department of job and family services.

• Effective: September 5, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly

Upon determining that a person or persons are eligible for benefits or services under any assistance program administered by the county department of job and family services, the county department may issue an identification card to the person or persons. The county department shall determine the card's material, design, and informational content, which may include a photograph, social security number, name, and signature, and shall prescribe the procedure by which it is issued.

In issuing identification cards under this section, the county department shall comply with any state or federal laws governing the issuance of the cards. All expenses incurred in issuing the cards shall be paid from funds available to the county department for administrative expenses.

Section 329.40 | Formation of joint county department of job and family services.

• Effective: September 28, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 509, House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A)(1) The boards of county commissioners of any two or more counties, by entering into a written agreement, may form a joint county department of job and family services to perform the duties, provide the services, and operate the programs required under this chapter. The agreement shall be ratified by resolution of the board of county commissioners of each county that entered into the agreement. Each board of county commissioners that enters into an agreement shall give notice of the agreement to the Ohio department of job and family services at least ninety days before the agreement's effective date. The agreement shall take effect not earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter following the ninety-day notice period. The director of job and family services shall adopt, as an internal management rule under section 111.15 of the Revised Code, the form in which the notice shall be given.

(2) The boards of county commissioners of the counties forming a joint county department shall constitute, collectively, the board of directors of the joint county department of job and family services. On the effective date of the agreement, the board of directors shall take control of and manage the joint county department subject to this chapter and all other sections of the Revised Code that govern the authority and responsibilities of a single board of county commissioners in the operation of a single county department of job and family services.

(B)(1) An agreement to establish a joint county department shall specify all of the following:

(a) The obligations of each board of county commissioners in operating the joint county department, including requiring each board to provide state, federal, and county funds to the operation of the joint county department and the schedule for provision of those funds;

(b) How and which facilities, equipment, and personnel will be shared;

(c) Procedures for the division of resources and obligations if one or more counties withdraw from the joint county department or the department ceases to exist;

(d) Any contributions of participating counties establishing the joint county department and the rights of those counties in lands or personal property, or rights or interests therein, contributed to or otherwise acquired by the joint county department.

(2) An agreement to establish a joint county department may set forth any or all of the following:

(a) Quality, timeliness, and other standards to be met by each county;

(b) Which family service programs and functions are to be included in the joint county department;

(c) Procedures for the operation of the board of directors, including procedures governing the frequency of meetings and the number of members of the board required to constitute a quorum to take action;

(d) Any other procedures or standards necessary for the joint county department to perform its duties and operate efficiently.

(C) An agreement may be amended by a majority vote of the board of directors of the joint county department, but no amendment shall divest a participating county of any right or interest in lands or personal property without its consent.

(D) Costs incurred in operating a joint county department shall be paid from a joint general fund created by the board of directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the agreement.

(E) A joint county department established under this section is a public office as defined in section 117.01 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 329.41 | Director; administrators; employees.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The board of directors of a joint county department of job and family services formed under section 329.40 of the Revised Code shall appoint and fix the compensation of the director of the department. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Under the direction and control of the board, the director shall have full charge of the department as set forth in section 329.02 of the Revised Code for the director of a single county department of job and family services.

(B) The board of directors may appoint up to three administrators to oversee services provided by the joint county department. Administrators shall be in the unclassified service.

(C) Employees of a joint county department of job and family services shall be appointed by the director of the joint county department and, except as provided in this section, shall be in the classified service. The employees of a joint county department shall be considered county employees for the purposes of Chapter 124. of the Revised Code and other provisions of state law applicable to county employees. Instead of or in addition to appointing these employees, a board of directors may agree to use the employees of one or more of the counties that formed a joint county department in the service of the joint county department and to share in their compensation in any manner that may be agreed upon.

(D) Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code, if an employee's separation from county service occurs in connection with a county joining or withdrawing from a joint county department of job and family services, the board of county commissioners that initially appointed the employee shall have no obligation to pay any compensation with respect to unused vacation or sick leave accrued to the credit of the employee if the employee accepts employment with the joint county department or a withdrawing county. At the effective time of separation from county service, the joint county department or the withdrawing county, as the case may be, shall assume such unused vacation and sick leave accrued to the employee's credit.

Section 329.42 | Fiscal officer; treasurer.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The county auditor of the county with the largest population that formed a joint county department of job and family services under section 329.40 of the Revised Code shall serve as the fiscal officer of the joint county department, and the county treasurer of that county shall serve as the treasurer of the joint county department, unless the counties that formed the joint county department agree to appoint the county auditor and county treasurer of another county that formed the department. In either case, these county officers shall perform any applicable duties for the joint county department as each typically performs for the county of which the individual is an officer. The board of directors of the joint county department may pay to that county any amount agreed upon by the board of directors and the board of county commissioners of that county to reimburse the county for the costs that are properly allocable to the service of its officers as fiscal officer and treasurer of the joint county department.

Section 329.43 | Legal advisor; other legal counsel.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The prosecuting attorney of the county with the largest population that formed a joint county department of job and family services under section 329.40 of the Revised Code shall serve as the legal advisor of the board of directors of the joint county department, unless the counties that formed the joint county department agree to appoint the prosecuting attorney of another county that formed the joint county department as legal advisor of the board. The board of directors may pay to the county of the prosecuting attorney who is the legal advisor of the board any amount agreed upon by the board of directors and the board of county commissioners of that county to reimburse that county for the costs that are properly allocable to the service of its prosecuting attorney as the legal advisor of the board of directors.

(B) The prosecuting attorney shall provide such services to the board of directors as are required or authorized to be provided to other county boards under Chapter 309. of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) If the board of directors of a joint county department wishes to employ other legal counsel on an annual basis to serve as the board's legal advisor in place of the prosecuting attorney, the board may do so with the agreement of the prosecuting attorney. If the prosecuting attorney does not agree, the board of directors may apply to the court of common pleas of the county with the largest population that formed the joint county department for authority to employ other legal counsel on an annual basis.

(2) If the board of directors of a joint county department wishes to employ other legal counsel to represent or advise the board on a particular matter in place of the prosecuting attorney, the board may do so with the agreement of the prosecuting attorney. If the prosecuting attorney does not agree, the board of directors may apply to the court of common pleas of the county with the largest population that formed the joint county department for authority to employ other legal counsel for that particular matter.

(3) The prosecuting attorney who is the legal advisor of the board of directors shall be given notice of an application filed under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section and shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard. After the hearing, the court may authorize the board of directors to employ other legal counsel on an annual basis or for a particular matter only if it finds that the prosecuting attorney refuses or is unable to provide the legal services that the board requires. If the board of directors employs other legal counsel on an annual basis or for a particular matter, the board may not require the prosecuting attorney to provide legal advice, opinions, or other legal services during the period or to the extent that the board employs the other legal counsel.

Section 329.44 | Rights and powers of board.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The board of directors of a joint county department of job and family services formed under section 329.40 of the Revised Code may acquire, by purchase or lease, real property, equipment, and systems to improve, maintain, or operate family service programs within the territory served by the joint county department. A board of county commissioners may acquire, within its county, real property or any estate, interest, or right therein, by appropriation or any other method, for use by the joint county department in connection with its provision of services. Appropriation proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 163. of the Revised Code.

(B) A board of county commissioners that formed a joint county department may contribute lands or rights or interests therein, money, other personal property or rights or interests therein, or services to the joint county department. The board of county commissioners may issue bonds or bond anticipation notes of the county to pay the cost of acquiring real property and of constructing, modifying, or upgrading a facility to house employees of the joint county department. The board of directors of a joint county department may reimburse the county for the use of such a facility if it is required to do so under the agreement entered into under section 329.40 of the Revised Code.

Section 329.45 | Withdrawal from agreement.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A)(1) A board of county commissioners that has entered into an agreement under section 329.40 of the Revised Code establishing a joint county department of job and family services may adopt a resolution requesting to withdraw from the agreement. Upon adopting such a resolution, the board of county commissioners shall deliver a copy of the resolution to the board of directors of the joint county department. Upon receiving the resolution, the board of directors shall deliver written notice of the requested withdrawal to the boards of county commissioners of the other county or counties that formed the joint county department. Not later than thirty days after receiving the notice, each of those boards of county commissioners shall adopt a resolution either accepting the withdrawal or objecting to the withdrawal, and shall deliver a copy of the resolution to the board of directors.

(2) If any of the boards of county commissioners that formed a joint county department adopts a resolution objecting to the requested withdrawal, the board of directors shall deliver written notice of the objection to each other board of county commissioners of the counties that formed the joint county department, including the board of county commissioners of the county proposing withdrawal. Not later than thirty days after sending the notice, the board of directors shall hold a meeting to discuss the objection. After the meeting, the board of directors shall determine whether the county requesting withdrawal desires to proceed with the withdrawal and, if the county does, the board of directors shall accept the withdrawal. Not later than thirty days after the determination was made, the board of directors shall deliver written notice of the withdrawal to the boards of county commissioners that formed the joint county department and to the board of county commissioners that requested withdrawal, and shall commence the withdrawal process under this section.

(3) If all of the boards of county commissioners that formed a joint county department, except for the board of county commissioners requesting the withdrawal, each adopt a resolution accepting the withdrawal, the board of directors shall declare the withdrawal to be accepted. Not later than thirty days after the declaration, the board of directors shall deliver written notice of the withdrawal to all of the boards of county commissioners that formed the joint county department, including the board of county commissioners of the county requesting withdrawal, and shall commence the withdrawal process under this section.

(4) The board of directors shall give notice to the Ohio department of job and family services of the withdrawal of a county under this section at least ninety days before the withdrawal becomes final. The director of job and family services shall adopt, as an internal management rule under section 111.15 of the Revised Code, the form in which the notice shall be given.

(5) If a county requesting to withdraw decides to remain as a party to the agreement establishing a joint county department, the board of county commissioners of that county shall rescind its original resolution requesting withdrawal and shall deliver a copy of the rescission to the board of directors of the joint county department not later than thirty days after adopting the rescission.

(B) If a county withdraws from an agreement under this section, the board of directors shall ascertain, apportion, and order a division of the funds on hand, credits, and real and personal property of the joint county department, either in money or in kind, on an equitable basis between the joint county department and the withdrawing county according to the agreement entered into under section 329.40 of the Revised Code and consistent with any prior contributions of the withdrawing county to the joint county department. Any debt incurred individually shall remain the responsibility of that county, unless otherwise specified in the agreement establishing the joint county department.

(C) A withdrawal becomes final not earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter following the ninety-day notice period required by division (A)(4) of this section. On and after that day, the withdrawing county ceases to be a part of the joint county department, and its members of the board of directors shall cease to be members of that board.

(D) If the withdrawal of one or more counties would leave only one county participating in a joint county department, the board of directors shall ascertain, apportion, and order a final division of the funds on hand, credits, and real and personal property of the joint county department. On and after the day on which the latest withdrawal of a county becomes final, the joint county department is dissolved. When a joint county department is dissolved and any indebtedness remains unpaid, the boards of county commissioners that formed the joint county department shall pay the indebtedness of the joint county department in the amounts established by the agreement at the time the indebtedness was incurred.

Section 329.46 | Proposal for removal of another county.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A board of county commissioners that formed a joint county department of job and family services under section 329.40 of the Revised Code, by adopting a resolution, may propose the removal of another county that formed the joint county department. The board of county commissioners shall send a copy of such a resolution to the board of directors of the joint county department. Not later than ten days after receiving the copy of the resolution, the board of directors shall send a copy of the resolution to each board of county commissioners that formed the joint county department, except the board of county commissioners proposing removal. Not later than thirty days after sending a copy of the resolution, the board of directors shall hold a hearing at which any county commissioner whose county formed the joint county department may present arguments for or against the removal. At the hearing, approval or disapproval of the removal shall be determined by a two-thirds vote of the county commissioners of the counties that formed the joint county department, with the exception of the county commissioners of the county proposed for removal.

(B) The board of directors of a joint county department of job and family services, by adopting a resolution by a majority vote of the members of the board, may propose removal of a county that formed the joint county department. Not later than ten days after adopting such a resolution, the board of directors shall send a copy of the resolution to the board of county commissioners of each county that formed the joint county department, including the board of county commissioners of the county proposed for removal. Not later than thirty days after sending the copy of the resolution, the board of directors shall hold a hearing at which any member of the board may present arguments for or against the removal. At this hearing, approval or disapproval of the resolution proposing removal shall be determined by a two-thirds vote of the members of the board of directors, with the exception of the board members who represent the county proposed for removal.

(C) If removal of a county is approved under this section, the board of directors shall give written notice of the approval to the Ohio department of job and family services at least ninety days before the removal takes effect. The director of job and family services shall adopt, as an internal management rule under section 111.15 of the Revised Code, the form in which the notice shall be given.

(D) Removal of a county under this section shall take effect not earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter following the ninety-day notice period required by division (C) of this section.

(E) If, at any time, the county proposed for removal under division (A) or (B) of this section notifies the board of directors, by a majority vote of that county's board of county commissioners, that it chooses to withdraw from the joint county department, the withdrawal procedure established under section 329.45 of the Revised Code shall be put immediately into motion.