DCL-03-04, Workgroup on Caseworker Interstate Data Access

DCL-03-04

DATE: February 10, 2003

TO: ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: Workgroup on Caseworker Interstate Data Access

Dear Colleague:

This is to update you on the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement’s (OCSE) project to improve the availability of interstate information. Representatives from ten states are working on data access between states and among child support agencies’ caseworkers. Their task is to look at the practical obstacles to prompt, informative case data communication on interstate cases. This practical consideration involves identifying the key pieces of information needed, assessing the availability of the data across disparate systems, and protecting private information. Specifically, this initiative focuses on identifying the type of information a caseworker would need to have available immediately from another state in order to manage a two-state case. In addition to the type of information that needs to be available to caseworkers, the workgroup is attempting to standardize the definitions so the information will be commonly understood.

At their first meeting in November, the workgroup produced a matrix of 1) information that interstate caseworkers need to do their jobs, 2) current availability of this information in an electronic format, and 3) priority of the need to the caseworker. (See attached Status of Information Needs matrix.) The discussion focused on first identifying those information needs that are not available currently to interstate caseworkers in an electronic form and then developing a common definition for the needed information. Later, this matrix guided the workgroup’s discussion on common definitions.

The workgroup categorized the information needs into three areas: financial, court order, and case information. During the January meeting, the workgroup focused on developing common definitions for financial information needs, as well as some court order information.

Over the next two meetings, the workgroup will develop recommendations for a standardized format and definitions for sharing needed interstate information. These recommendations will be provided to all states.

Once it is clear what information is needed, then the workgroup will look at how it can be transmitted. Consideration of data sharing methods will include a look at the Child Support Enforcement Network (CSENet) as well as web-enabled technologies.

Meanwhile, our support contractor, State Information Technology Consortium, is researching what states are currently doing to improve or enhance interstate information sharing and may be contacting you. To hear your thoughts and ideas more directly, we are arranging an open conference call to update interested states on the project. Details for these calls will be sent as a Federal Parent Locator Service E-Flash.

Attached is a list of workgroup participants. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact one of the workgroup members, or Helen Smith, Office of Automation and Program Operations, OCSE at hsmith@acf.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

Sherri Z. Heller, Ed.D.
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

cc:
Regional Program Managers
ACF Regional Administrators

OCSE Interstate Workgroup on Interagency Data Access Attendee List (Adobe PDF)

Interagency Data Access Workgroup - Status of Information Needs (Adobe PDF)