(A) An emancipated young adult is to submit to a bridges representative a DCY 01626 "Bridges Application" to participate in the program.
(B) To be eligible for bridges, an applicant is to meet all of following:
(1) Attained the age of eighteen but not attained the age of twenty-one.
(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) Submit documentation to verify at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
(a) Completing 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; or
(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) A bridges representative is to submit a completed and signed DCY 01626, DCY 01617 "Bridges Voluntary Participation Agreement", and documentation supporting eligibility described in paragraph (B)(3) of this rule to the Ohio department of children and youth (DCY) for approval.
(1) An approved applicant is to sign a DCY 01617 pursuant to section 5101.1412 of the Revised Code and be provided with the JFS 04059 "Explanation of State Hearing Procedures."
(2) DCY is to provide a denied applicant a DCY 01618 "Bridges Notice of Denial," a DCY 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form," and a JFS 04059 "Explanation of State Hearing Procedures" by U.S. mail, hand delivery, or electronic format no later than three business days after an application is denied, which is to include the reason for denial and the right to appeal the decision as outlined in paragraph (G) of this rule.
(D) A bridges participant is to maintain eligibility which is to be reviewed by a bridges representative no later than every one hundred eighty calendar days from the DCY 01617 effective date but may be reviewed at any time. If a participant fails to maintain eligibility, a bridges representative is to notify the participant in writing of termination as outlined in paragraph (F) of this rule.
(E) A participant may choose to voluntarily withdraw by submitting a DCY 01621 "Bridges Voluntary Withdrawal Form" to a bridges representative with termination effective on the date indicated on the form.
(F) The following outlines participant termination from bridges:
(1) In accordance with rule 5101:6-2-04 of the Administrative Code, a participant is to be provided a DCY 01620 "Bridges Notice of Termination" including the reason and effective date of termination, a DCY 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form," and a JFS 04059 "Explanation of State Hearing Procedures" explaining the right to appeal when a participant:
(a) No longer meets eligibility requirements as outlined in paragraph (B)(3) of this rule;
(b) Fails to be in face-to-face contact with a bridges representative for more than sixty calendar days.
(c) Is incarcerated for more than sixty calendar days;
(d) Attains the age of twenty-one; or
(e) Experiences discretionary termination as described in paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
(2) The effective date of termination is to be no less than thirty calendar days from the mailing date of the DCY 01620.
(3) If DCY determines a participant was or may be terminated from bridges for failing to maintain face to face contact for more than sixty calendar days, and it is determined a bridges representative did not make diligent efforts to complete face to face contact, the participant's eligibility may be reinstated.
(4) Eligibility can be reestablished prior to the termination date if the participant submits documentation that verifies meeting eligibility criteria in paragraph (B)(3) of this rule.
(5) DCY has the discretion to terminate a participant without providing prior notice if, including but not limited to, the participant falsifies eligibility documentation, is incarcerated impacting program requirements, refuses to participate in program activities, or for misuse of program funds. A bridges representative is to provide the participant a DCY 01620 stating the reason and termination date for the discretionary termination, a DCY 01622 and a JFS 04059.
(G) An individual who was denied enrollment or terminated from bridges has the right to appeal the decision and may request a state hearing as follows:
(1) Submission of a DCY 01622 "Bridges State Hearing Request Form" by mail, email, facsimile, or verbal request to a bridges representative, DCY, or bureau of state hearings. The request is to be submitted within the following timeframes:
(a) Fifteen calendar days from the mailing date of the termination notice, continuing benefits until a state hearing decision is issued pursuant to division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code; or
(b) Ninety calendar days from the mailing date of the denial or termination notice.
(2) If the fifteenth or ninetieth day falls on a weekend or holiday, then the next business day is to be used as the date of submission.
(3) An individual may withdraw a state hearing request for any reason prior to a state hearing decision being issued, including to re-apply to bridges.
(H) If a participant is terminated from bridges for providing falsified eligibility documentation, all of the following apply:
(1) Eligibility is suspended for a sixty calendar day period.
(2) Reapplication may be submitted sixty calendar days from either:
(a) The mailing date on the DCY 01620; or
(b) The date of the state hearing decision upholding the termination, if the participant files an appeal as outlined in paragraph (G) of this rule.
Last updated July 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM