Policies & Procedures

The following pages address issues related to licensure or exemption from licensure, e.g. the Youth Development Exemption. Please note, there are three separate ways and agency might respond to the need for licensing. Districts that are performing the day-to-day operations for Nina M. Lowery 21st Century Community Learning Centers will be licensed through the Ohio Department of Education.

For programs where an agency is performing the day-to-day operations, the agency will need to seek licensing through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

As an alternative to licensing, nonprofits who are performing the day-to-day operation may apply to the Ohio Department of Education's Consultant for the 21st Century program for the Youth Development Exemption. You must meet the criteria for this exemption and there is an example template.

Resources like the Step Up to Quality provide a tiered set of standards. Following an application and review process, organizations can earn one to five stars based upon their compliance with standards.