DCL-9879 CONNECT:Direct

DCL-98-79

TO: ALL IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: CONNECT:Direct

Dear Colleague:

In an effort to improve data transfer quality, provide greater data security, and eliminate manual data transfer tasks, the Federal Office of Child Support (OCSE) will convert to CONNECT:Direct data transmission software as the transmission method for all State CSE-related systems, including Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS), Tax Offset, and Project 1099.

CONNECT:Direct is a primary component of the telecommunication system operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that currently is being used by the States to transmit new hire, unemployment insurance, and quarterly wage data to the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH). States also will be using CONNECT:Direct to transmit data to the Federal Case Registry (FCR) beginning October 1, 1998.

CONNECT:Direct is an effective replacement to tape cartridges or other time-consuming data transfer methods. The benefits of CONNECT:Direct include:

Ability to move large volumes of data between two computer systems in a timely fashion.
Elimination of manual mailings, thus reducing turnaround time by up to two weeks.
Reduction in data transfer cost, including the costs of cartridges, postage and human intervention.
Elimination of unreadable cartridges, misplaced/misdirected cartridges.
Protection against unauthorized system and file access.
Automation of all operations related to data transfer, security, auditability and reporting.
Resolution of support and connectivity issues created by multiple operating systems.

Attached is a CSE System Reporting matrix which identifies the States that have indicated they will use CONNECT:Direct for the FPLS, Tax Offset, and Project 1099 programs. OCSE plans to evaluate the volumes for each program to determine if your State is a candidate for CONNECT:Direct.

If your State is identified as a CONNECT:Direct candidate, our technical assistance team will contact you to guide you through the transition process. Migration to CONNECT:Direct will take place during the period from June through August 1998.

Should you have any questions or concerns before that time, please contact Rose Hodel at (703) 352-3855.

Sincerely,

Anne F. Donovan

Acting Commissioner

Office of Child Support Enforcement

Enclosure

cc: CONNECT:Direct Contacts
State Parent Locator Service Supervisors
State Tax-Offset State Coordinators
State 1099 Coordinators
Regional Program Managers