§ 5104.53 — Early childhood education grant program

Ohio § 5104.53

• Jurisdiction: Ohio
• Title 51: Public Welfare
• Ch. 5104: Child Day-care

Text

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "IEP" has the same meaning as in section3323.01of the Revised Code.

(2) "Resource caregiver" has the same meaning as in section5103.02of the Revised Code.

(B) The early childhood education grant program is created in the department of children and youth. Subject to available funds, the program shall support and invest in early learning and development programs operating in this state by awarding grants to programs that meet the conditions of this section in an amount that corresponds to the number of eligible children served by the programs.

(C) To be eligible for a grant under this section, an early learning and development program shall meet each of the following conditions:

(1) The program is rated through the step up to quality program established under section5104.29of the Revised Code at the tiered rating specified by the department in rules adopted under this section.

(2) The program provides early learning and development services to one or more preschool-age children described in division (D) of this section.

(3) The program meets any other eligibility condition specified by the department in rules adopted under this section.

(D) A preschool-age child who meets all of the following conditions, as determined by a county department of job and family services, is eligible to participate in the early childhood education grant program if a slot is available:

(1) Either the amount of the child's family income does not exceed two hundred per cent of the federal poverty line or the child meets one of the following conditions:

(a) An IEP has been developed for the child;

(b) The child is placed with a resource caregiver as described in Chapter 5103. of the Revised Code, with such placement documented by either a family case plan or kinship permanency incentive payments;

(c) The child is homeless as described in division (V) of section5104.01of the Revised Code.

(2) The child is a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien.

(3) The child meets any other eligibility condition specified by the department in rules adopted under this section.

(E) Any funds appropriated to the department for purposes of the early childhood education grant program shall be used as follows:

(1) In each fiscal year, not more than two per cent of appropriated funds shall be used for program support and technical assistance.

(2) Appropriated funds other than those described in division (E)(1) of this section shall be distributed to grant recipients.

(F) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director shall adopt rules to implement this section and administer the early childhood education grant program, including rules addressing all of the following topics:

(1) Eligibility conditions and other requirements for participation in the grant program by early learning and development programs, including the tiered rating at which a program becomes eligible to participate;

(2) Eligibility conditions for children participating in the early childhood education grant program if a slot is available;

(3) Standards, procedures, and requirements to apply for and distribute funds to participating early learning and development programs;

(4) In the event funds are distributed in error under the program, methods by which the department may recover those funds.

Last updated September 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM

Legislative History

Effective: September 30, 2025 | Latest Legislation: House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly