dcl9759.htm


                        DC-97-59

September 29, 1997

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.  When registering for 
the retreat, 

attendees should indicate their topic preference and send us 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.  
If you have not already made your hotel reservations, please do so by 
October 3 to receive the special meeting rate.

Please note that the timeframe for the retreat has been changed so as 
not to conflict with other child support meetings.  It will now start 
on Tuesday, October 28th at 1:00 p.m. and will conclude Thursday, 
October 30th at 5:00 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.

þ    Administrative Enforcement
þ    Administrative Subpoenas
þ    Enforcement (including direct withholding)
þ    General Provisions 
þ    International
þ    Interstate Liens
þ    Modification
þ    Paternity/Establishment
þ    Systems   
þ    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.