dcl9570.htm

Interstate Forms, Pilot Test for New Standard

December 12, 1995

DC-95-70

TO ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: Pilot Test for New Standard Interstate Forms

Dear Colleague:

The Federal OCSE, in conjunction with a workgroup of State representatives, has developed a pilot version of new standard forms for interstate case processing. Before distributing the new forms for national use, we will conduct a pilot test which will last for several months. After completion of the pilot project, we may need to make some adjustments to the forms based on the findings of the pilot. A copy of the pilot version of the interstate forms and instructions is enclosed.

Several jurisdictions have volunteered for the pilot project and will be using the new forms to initiate interstate cases. To date, the following jurisdictions are expected to participate in the pilot project: Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Delaware; District of Columbia; Illinois; Kansas; Maine; Michigan (Kent County); Minnesota; Nebraska; Nevada; North Carolina (Scotland County); Oregon; Pennsylvania (Allegheny County); and Texas (San Antonio). Additional jurisdictions as well as private attorneys may also join the pilot. If your jurisdiction will not be volunteering for the pilot project, you may continue to use the existing standard forms to initiate interstate cases.

Regardless of whether you are participating in the pilot project as an initiating jurisdiction, you may be receiving case referrals from pilot States using the new forms. Please alert your caseworkers, judges, and hearing officers so that they will be prepared to work referrals received via the pilot forms; you may wish to distribute a copy of the forms and instructions. If you have questions about new forms when working a case, initiating pilot States have agreed to provide assistance. Later in the pilot project, we will be sending you an evaluation questionnaire so that you can provide feedback on the new forms.

The pilot forms are designed for interstate transactions involving UIFSA States. However, generally, they can also be used for cases involving URESA States. The basic format and structure of the forms remains similar to the existing forms, but we have revised the forms and added several new forms to accommodate UIFSA. A summary of the revisions is enclosed. The package also includes a "UIFSA Forms Matrix" which provides guidance regarding which forms are needed for different types of interstate actions. There is also a glossary of terms.

Federal regulations at 45 CFR 303.7 require the use of standard forms in interstate cases. Section 311(b) of the model versionof the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) also requires use of federally-mandated forms. Standard forms are designed to provide uniformity and clarity in interstate transactions.

UIFSA was the main impetus for revising the forms. The model version of UIFSA was promulgated in 1992 by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, and has been endorsed by the U.S. Commission on Interstate Child Support and the American Bar Association. To date, at least 26 States have adopted UIFSA. In addition, Federal legislation is pending which would require all States to enact UIFSA as a condition of receiving Federal funding for their child support programs.

These new forms were developed by a workgroup composed of State and Federal representatives; attached is a list of State representatives. An earlier draft of the new forms was distributed, along with a request for comments, via OCSE Dear Colleague Letter 95-22. We received 55 responses representing 41 different States. The workgroup reviewed these responses and revised the forms in light of the comments. We would like to thank everyone who commented on the earlier draft of the forms, and members of the workgroup in particular, for their efforts on this project.

If you have questions concerning the pilot project, please contact Karen Bartlett at 202-401-4630 or Andrew Williams at 202-401-1467.

Sincerely,

David Gray Ross

Deputy Director

Office of Child Support

Enforcement

Enclosures

cc: ACF Regional Administrators, Regions I - X

Child Support Program Managers, Regions I - X