Chapter 355 | County Healthier Buckeye Councils

Section 355.01 | Definitions.

• Effective: March 20, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 206 - 130th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

"Care coordination" means assisting an individual to access available physical health, behavioral health, social, employment, education, and housing services the individual needs.

"Political subdivision" has the same meaning as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

"Publicly funded assistance programs" include physical health, behavioral health, social, employment, education, and housing programs funded or provided by the state or a political subdivision of the state.

Section 355.02 | Local healthier buckeye council.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 331 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Each board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution to establish a local healthier buckeye council. If a local council is established, the resolution shall specify the organization of the council and shall designate a member to serve as a staffing agent and, if the board determines necessary, a member to serve as a fiscal agent. The board may revise the council's organization as necessary by adopting a resolution.

(B)(1) The board may invite any person or entity to become a member of the council, including any of the following:

(a) Individuals with community leadership experience;

(b) Individuals with experience leading others;

(c) Individuals likely to receive healthier buckeye services and participate in healthier buckeye programs;

(d) Representatives from public and private entities, including any of the following:

(i) Employers;

(ii) Municipal corporations, counties, and townships;

(iii) Courts, including those with specialized court programs certified by the Ohio supreme court;

(iv) Law enforcement;

(v) Faith-based social services organizations;

(vi) Foundations;

(vii) Public health, including free clinics;

(viii) Child support enforcement agencies;

(ix) Children services agencies;

(x) Child care providers;

(xi) Preschool programs;

(xii) Primary and secondary schools;

(xiii) Colleges and universities;

(xiv) Mental health and addiction services providers;

(xv) Medicaid care coordinators or service providers;

(xvi) Emergency or urgent care services providers;

(xvii) Transportation providers;

(xviii) Housing providers;

(xix) The boy scouts of America, 4-H clubs, boys and girls clubs of America, and other similar organizations.

(2) The board may form a multi-county council in accordance with division (C) of this section.

(C)(1) The boards of county commissioners of any two or more counties, by entering into a written agreement, may form a joint local healthier buckeye council. The agreement shall be ratified by resolution of the board of county commissioners of each county that entered into the agreement.

(2) An agreement to establish a joint local healthier buckeye council may set forth procedures or standards necessary for the joint local healthier buckeye council to perform its duties and operate efficiently.

(3) Costs incurred in operating a joint local healthier buckeye council shall be paid from a joint general fund created by the council, except as may be otherwise provided in the agreement.

(4) If a joint local healthier buckeye council is established, all references in the Revised Code to a local healthier buckeye council shall apply to the joint local council.

Section 355.03 | Powers.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 331 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) A local healthier buckeye council shall promote all of the following:

(1) A cooperative and effective environment in all communities to maximize opportunities for individuals and families to achieve and maintain optimal health in all aspects, thereby achieving greater productivity and reducing reliance on publicly funded assistance programs;

(2) Means by which council members or the entities the members represent may reduce the reliance of individuals and families on publicly funded assistance programs using both of the following:

(a) Programs that have been demonstrated to be effective and have one or more of the following features:

(i) Low costs;

(ii) Use volunteer workers;

(iii) Use incentives to encourage designated behaviors;

(iv) Are led by peers.

(b) Practices that identify and seek to eliminate barriers to achieving greater financial independence for individuals and families who receive services from or participate in programs operated by council members or the entities the members represent.

(3) Care coordination among physical health, behavioral health, social, employment, education, and housing service providers within the county.

(B) A local healthier buckeye council shall develop a healthier buckeye plan that promotes the objectives set forth in division (A) of this section and submit the council's healthier buckeye plan to the board of county commissioners that created the council.

(C) A local healthier buckeye council shall convene at least once per year.

(D) A local healthier buckeye council shall organize itself in accordance with section 355.02 of the Revised Code and any other applicable provisions of law.

(E) A local healthier buckeye council shall collect and analyze data regarding individuals or families who receive services from or participate in programs operated by council members or the entities the members represent.

(F) Beginning one year after September 29, 2015, each local healthier buckeye council shall submit an annual report of the council's performance to the Ohio healthier buckeye council.

(G) A local healthier buckeye council may apply for, receive, and oversee the administration of grants.

Section 355.04 | Report to JMOC.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 331 - 133rd General Assembly

A local healthier buckeye council shall report the following information to the joint medicaid oversight committee created in section 103.41 of the Revised Code:

(A) Notification that the local council has been established and information regarding the council's organization, plan, and activities;

(B) Information regarding enrollment or outcome data collected under division (E) of section 355.03 of the Revised Code;

(C) Recommendations regarding the best practices for the administration and delivery of publicly funded assistance programs or other services or programs provided by council members or the entities the members represent;

(D) Recommendations regarding the best practices in care coordination.