Law
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative was launched under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Click here to see the law framing the program.
Guidance
The office of 21st CCLC recommends a thorough review of the Non-Regulatory Guidance when developing and implementing 21st CCLC programming. Click here to see the guidance document.
Equitable Services
Here is the link to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Section 9501, Participation by Private School Children and Teachers: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg111.html
Youth Development Exemption
Ohio Revised Code 5104.02(B)8 provides guidelines for exemption to youth development programs operated by a community- or faith-based organization outside of school hours. Contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services if you have questions or need clarification. Once you have determined your program meets the requirements for this exemption, please notify our office by completing this form for each grant no earlier than July 1st of each grant year. You will then email proof of tax-exempt status to Tabitha Palmer at the address provided in the form. You must notify our office of a youth development exemption prior to beginning operations. There is no law exempting school districts from licensing.
From ORC 5104.02(B)8:
(8) A youth development program (is) operated outside of school hours…all of the following (must) apply:
(a) The children enrolled in the program are under nineteen years of age and enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in a grade of kindergarten or above;
(b) The program provides informal care, which is care that does not require parental signature, permission, or notice for the child receiving the care to enter or leave the program;
(c) The program provides any of the following supervised activities: educational, recreational, culturally enriching, social, and personal development activities; and
(d) The entity operating the program is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501(a) and (c)(3).
School Child Program Rules
Ohio Administrative Code 3301-32-01(U) defines “School child” programs for the state. “School child” means a person who is attending kindergarten or who is at least five years of age as of the first date of attendance in the school child program, is less than fifteen years of age, and is not enrolled in high school.
The 21st CCLC new and continuation applications ask the applicant to indicate if they serve high school/grades 9-12 only if their grant site serves only high school students, as a license is not required for those sites.
You can read the rest of OAC 3301-32-01 here.
Program Licensing Resources
Visit this site to determine under which licensing agency’s jurisdiction your program would fall. Then contact the appropriate license agency below to complete the process.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Family Assistance Bureau of Child Care Development Licensing and Monitoring (For community-based organizations operating programs)
Policy Help Desk: (877) 302-2347, option 4 General Help Desk: (866) 886-3537, option 4
http://jfs.ohio.gov/CDC/Licensing_Information.stm
Ohio Department of Education Office of Early Learning and School Readiness (For local education agencies operating programs)
(614) 502-7535
Email: OELSR.licensing@education.ohio.gov
Website: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/School-Age-Child-Care-Licensing
21st Century Community Learning Centers 