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Arrears Avenues

Olympia's Best Practices - Locate

• Google
• Auto Locate
  • LT Screen
  • Auto Locate Data Bases
  • SEMS Calendar
  • FPLS
• BarCode
• Impediment Locate Screen
  • Automated Interface with IV-A
  • Auto populate with FPLS
  • One screen for all of a person's cases
  • FIDM & IA
  • Pass off to locate applications

Location, location, location!

This real estate mantra should also be ours. Knowing where the NCP is and what he/she does for a living is our number one concern. Pursue locate until you 'know' the person. Don't give up when one lead comes back 'bad'. Always try to take 'one more step' for both the person and their assets.

Two goals for locate:

1. Do enough locate to get child support payments or
2. Identify the Impediment that prevents you from collecting.
(Oly FO is using RC 28 for Impediments with note in the comment line.)

Tips

• Time your locate efforts to make the most of SEMS interfaces. Understand and use the 'MONTHLY HAPPENINGS IN SEMS' Calendar. The 4th week is a good locate week.
• The LT screen is a 'footprint' of NCP activity in WA State. LT tracks auto locate runs.
• When you get vague information – don't give up! If you don't know what to do with the information, take what you know to a 'good locater'. Ask for help.
• Use a Locate Checklist for ideas on where to go next.
• Be fluent with these basic locate tools:
  • BarCode and ACES
  • PRISM
    Search by:
    • 'Area'
    • 'Type'
    • 'Site Menu'
  • Accurint
  • Google
  • Credit Commander
    • Needed for 'Diligent locate' Skip Trace & Subpoenas
  • FORS – WA Inmates
  • DOR – WA employer's addresses
  If you are uncomfortable using any of these programs – please ask for help. Your success rate for locate will improve.
• Change stumbling blocks from Stop signs to a mild slow down for 'Curves Ahead'. Stumbling Blocks can be:
  • Passwords (Accurint anyone? DAPS?)
  • A change to familiar locate sites
  • Not knowing where to find the information you need
  • Any kind of computer change / Lack of time / Too many past due reviews

Challenge! Next time you 'stumble' over locate and want to go on to the next review or phone call - ask for help instead.Talk to your coworkers. Talk to a 'good locater'. Keep repaving your information highway.

Olympia Field Office September 18, 2007

Presented by Darla Woodworth, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support

Posted on March 24, 2008