DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER

DCL-05-09

ATTACHMENT:  Data Element Grid Definitions Only
Data Element Grid Enhanced

DATE: February 23, 2005

TO:  ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE:  Interstate Interagency Data Access Workgroup

Dear Colleague:

As part of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement’s (OCSE) continued work with states on improving availability of interstate case information, I am pleased to update you on the progress of the OCSE Interstate Interagency Data Access Workgroup and the Just-In-Time Project.

Representatives from eleven states composing the workgroup have continued to address improving data access between states and among Child Support Enforcement (CSE) agencies’ caseworkers. This initiative focused on identifying the type of information a caseworker would need to have immediately available from another state in order to manage interstate cases.  The workgroup has focused first on financial data related to a case, and has identified a set of data elements that would be included in that exchange.

OCSE is in the final stages of preparing for a pilot with selected states whereby caseworkers in one state will have access to financial case information in another state. The purpose of the pilot is to:

• Ensure the elements accurately represent the information needed to allow caseworkers to address interstate issues,
• Review the feasibility of extracting this information from your state system, and
• Plan for future implementation.

Once we have completed the pilot, we plan to expand this to all interested states. In addition we plan to have a second phase to broaden the type of information available “just-in-time” to workers, e.g., case status data, court information.

As we move forward in the pilot phase of the Just-In-Time Project, it is important for state representatives to review the data element definitions for the project. In accordance with the process described in DCL-04-45, Data Exchange Standards, enclosed are two documents listing the proposed data elements, their definitions, and relevant data element details. I ask your assistance in reviewing these data definitions and providing your comments.

Once feedback is received from states, the workgroup will propose a draft data exchange standard that will help further guide the evaluation of different implementation approaches.

If you have questions or feedback, please contact Helen Smith, Office of Automation and Program Operations, OCSE at hsmith@acf.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

David H. Siegel
Acting Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

Enclosures

cc: Regional Program Managers
  ACF Regional Administrators
  Tribal IV-D Directors