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Procedural Justice-Informed Alternatives to Contempt (PJAC)
In September 2016, OCSE awarded Section 1115 grants for the PJAC project to 5 state child support agencies in Arizona, California, Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia, and awarded a grant to Georgia to manage the evaluation of the project.
The five-year demonstration project will allow grantees to examine whether incorporating procedural justice principles into child support business practices increases reliable child support payments. The goals are to increase reliable payments, reduce arrears, minimize the need for continued enforcement actions and sanctions, and reduce the inappropriate use of contempt.
Working Toward a Resolution
PJAC case managers use principles of procedural justice to facilitate dialogue between parents.
Read moreWho Is at Risk of Contempt?
PJAC case managers describe the characteristics that led parents to the point of contempt.
Read moreTop PJAC Resources
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Using Principles of Procedural Justice to Engage Disconnected Parents
Describes techniques used in the PJAC demonstration project to engage noncustodial and custodial parents -
Incorporating Procedural Justice-Informed Strategies into Child Support Services
Describes specialized training provided to child support staff who are adopting procedural justice-informed approaches -
A New Response to Child Support Noncompliance
An evaluation of using procedural justice-informed practices as an alternative to the contempt process with noncustodial parents -
Justice Department Announces Resources to Reform Practices
DOJ resources to reform practices for assessing ability to pay as part of enforcement efforts to collect fees and fines -
National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice
An organization designed to improve relationships and increase trust between minority communities and the criminal justice system -
Center for Court Innovation - Procedural Justice
Provides a link to the Center for Court Innovation, advancing procedural justice through programs, research, and assistance
Last Reviewed: October 22, 2020