To improve the employability of certain non-custodial parents (NCPs) so they may be better equipped to pay child support.

New Employees of Nevada (NEON program) provides substance abuse treatment, transportation (bus passes, gas reimbursement, auto insurance and auto repairs as needed), identification cards, driver's license, automobile registration, short-term vocational training (or referral to another organization who can fund for more than four months), clothing, health cards, professional licenses, union dues, etc. NCPs are eligible to receive up to 12 months of post-employment job retention services. Services are funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and cannot exceed four (4) months.

The case manager provides the NCP client with an orientation to the program, an employment assessment, personal responsibility plan, and tracks the client. All the support services needed are arranged by the case manager who works closely with employers and/or the Employment Security Specialist for job placement. When access and visitation is an issue and a barrier to the NCP wanting employment and to pay child support, the case manager works with the County's Family Mediation Program. The case manager provides encouragement and support throughout the 4 month process. The case is referred to the job retention contractor after the client secures employment. The job retention contractor ensures all NCPs are Welfare-to-Work certified so the services may be provided/continued upon case closure.

The NEON NCP Employment Program was initiated in partnership with the Child Support Unit.

The program has been administered at different times by Child Support and the Employment and Training within the Welfare Division. In April 1999, the program was returned 100% to the Employment and Training function within the Welfare Division.

The Clark County Child Support Master has a long history of trying to get the hardest-to-serve NCP into employment. A combination of sanctions and services to reach the employment outcome are used.

Implemented in Clark County (Las Vegas, NV) in April 1999, the program's referrals come primarily from the Child Support Master. The Master sees NCPs who have fallen behind in their child support obligations and claim this action is due to unemployment. He refers the NCP to the NEON NCP program (EAP) for services. If the NCP refuses to participate, the NCP may be sentenced to a period of time in jail.

The program has generated over $900,000 in child support collections which would otherwise have been uncollected. Between 15 and 18 of the hardest-to-serve NCPs are employed monthly. The cost per client varies each month but usually does not exceed $350. The NCP earns about $8.00 per hour. Notice of employment is automatically provided to the Child Support office which initiates wage withholding. The projects strengths have been recognized.

A program for the NCP population, which does not have a long history of non-payment and do not need to be referred to the Master for intervention, is being examined using Welfare-to-Work funds and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds through the Department of Labor.

Five offices in Clark County (Las Vegas) at this time. The program will be replicated in the Washoe County area (the state's second largest urban area) once appropriate resources are located. It is estimated this will occur in state fiscal year 2003. The Washoe County Child Support Master wants to replicate most of the Clark County model due to its success.

100% TANF funds as of July 1, 2001. Prior to July 1, 2001, the program was funded with a combination of maintenance of effort (MOE) and TANF funds.

Administration, funding, program policy: Rota Rosaschi, Chief, Benefits and Support

phone: (775) 687-4834); email: rosaschi@govmail.state.nv.us

Employment and Training Supervisor (ETS) at Owens Office in Las Vegas: Ruth Barnes

phone: (702) 486- 1896; email: rbarnes@govmail.state.nv.us.

Case management issues - Larry Lee, ETS (702) 486 - 1790.