dcl9739.htm

Interstate Retreat

DC-97-39

TO ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

Dear Colleague:

On October 28 - 30, 1997, OCSE will sponsor an Interstate Retreat (UIFSA III and One-State Interstate II) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This retreat will focus on implementation of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) and the child support enforcement provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). We are inviting you to send representatives from your State who are familiar with UIFSA and interstate case processing. We will also be sending invitations directly to some child support practitioners who have attended past retreats and meetings involving interstate issues.

This retreat is a follow-up to the two UIFSA Retreats that were held in 1994 and 1996. In September 1996, approximately 60 representatives from State IV-D programs, the Federal OCSE, employer/payroll groups, and other entities met in Fairfax, Virginia to discuss and resolve issues/problems associated with the implementation of UIFSA. This retreat is also a follow-up to our One-State Interstate Retreat held in Providence, RI last April.

Since the last retreat, States have been working to implement the PRWORA. PRWORA requires States to pass the 1996 version of UIFSA, and new issues have emerged, particularly regarding the 1996 changes to UIFSA. The upcoming Interstate Retreat will allow us to address these new issues, as well as issues relating to the PRWORA Interstate requirements initially discussed in Providence.

Like the previous retreats, this will be a working meeting--not a training session. Attendees will discuss and attempt to resolve specific issues and problems. Developing consensus regarding these matters will help to ensure greater uniformity and standardization in interstate case processing. OCSE will incorporate the notes from this retreat as a reference companion to the UIFSA handbook --a nationally distributed manual designed to assist practitioners working interstate cases.

In order to facilitate discussion and to cover as many issues as possible, the retreat will be divided into nine child support related topic areas: administrative enforcement, administrative subpoenas, enforcement (including direct income withholding), general provisions, interstate liens, international, modification, paternity/establishment, systems, and tribal. Whenregistering for the retreat,

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attendees should indicate their topic preference and suggest specific issues for

discussion. Prior to the retreat, attendees will receive their group assignment and a list of discussion questions.

The Interstate Retreat will be at the Howard Johnson Hotel East, 15 Hotel Circle NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rooms are available for $53.00 single and $63.00 double occupancy per night. Attendees should call 1-800-466-7829 ext. 1015 ask for Rosemary Lombardelli or 1-800-877-4852 to reserve a room and mention the child support enforcement meeting (group 3305) in order to obtain the reduced rate.

The retreat will start on Tuesday, October 28th at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude Thursday, October 30th at 12:00 p.m. Our intent is to make this a pleasant work environment--casual dress is preferred. Attendees should complete the attached registration form for the Interstate Retreat and fax or mail it to Dianne Offett at (202) 205-4315 no later than September 15. If you have any questions, call Dianne Offett at (202) 401-5425 or Jean Robinson at (202) 401-5330.

Sincerely,

David Gray Ross

Deputy Director

Office of Child Support Enforcement

Enclosure

cc:Regional Administrators, Regions I - X

CSE Program Managers, Regions I - X

Registration Form: Interstate Retreat

Participant Information:

Name ___________________________________________________________________ ____

Title/Agency _______________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________ _

Telephone __________________________________________________________________

Fax ___________________________________________________________________ _____

Topic Preference: Select your topic areas from the list below. Please rank your selection on the following scale: 1 = first choice; 2 = second choice; 3 = third choice.

_Administrative Enforcement

_Administrative Subpoenas

_Enforcement (including direct withholding)

_General Provisions

_International

_Interstate Liens

_Modification

_Paternity/Establishment

_Systems

_Tribal

Issues for Discussion: Please list issues below that you would like to discuss at the retreat. Please be specific. Attach additional sheets if necessary.