October 2021 Child Support Report
COMMISSIONER'S VOICE: Upcoming Grants to Help DV Survivors
Linda Boyer, Acting Commissioner, OCSE
I remember a story from a participant in one of our tribal program DV trainings who had worked with a custodial parent who didn’t want to wear a mask during an office intake interview. This training participant offered to go out to the custodial parent’s car to complete the interview and discovered that wearing a mask brought back trauma for the custodial parent of being choked by the other parent. This simple, trauma-informed act may seem small to us, but it was a huge relief for that parent. It’s also a reminder for all of us in the child support program of the difference we can make.
State and tribal child support professionals play an important role in helping individuals in or leaving violent relationships gain the economic security to establish safe, violence-free homes for themselves and their children. While domestic violence crosses all demographic lines, it disproportionately impacts women of color, especially African American and Indigenous women. Creating a just, equitable child support program demands that we take a proactive stance to ensure all parents have safe access to services. OCSE promotes best practices and provides direct training to state and tribal programs. We also collaborate with federal and state DV organizations to increase awareness of what domestic violence looks like in child support caseloads and equip staff to respond appropriately.
SAVES Center and demonstration sites
In August, OCSE announced upcoming funding opportunities for two five-year demonstration projects: 1) the Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) Demonstration sites and 2) the SAVES Center. These are both designed to build on OCSE’s current DV work and significantly expand the capacity of child support agencies to respond to domestic violence. SAVES Demonstration sites will develop, evaluate, and implement model practices for safe access to child support and parenting time services. The SAVES Center will provide comprehensive training, technical assistance, research, and evaluation support to state and tribal child support agencies.
These two complementary funding opportunities highlight OCSE’s commitment to:
- Expand safety for more than four million custodial parents with child support cases who’ve experienced domestic violence
- Increase access to child support services for those victims who currently are without child support due to safety concerns
More than two-thirds of domestic violence victims report staying in or returning to a violent relationship due to financial need. The child support program can truly make the difference for millions of families between a life of constant threats, intimidation, and physical and sexual violence—and a life that is stable and free of violence.
Television and Radio Ads Spotlight Modernization Efforts
Betina Gonzales McCracken, Acting Director, New Mexico Child Support Enforcement Division
This year, New Mexico made some major changes to its child support program, which took effect on July 1. Our office wanted to use Child Support Awareness Month to raise internal and external awareness about these and other improvements that help children and families. With my television news and production background, I knew we could educate residents through a dynamic public awareness campaign on TV and radio.
Public Education Partnership
The Public Education Partnership is a program that allows government agencies and community groups across the state to use airtime provided by the New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA). Organizations award a grant to the NMBA in exchange for spots on New Mexico radio and television. The ads are distributed to stations across the state, and broadcasters are asked to run the announcements on an “as available” basis. Monthly performance reports indicate how many times the ads aired. For more than 20 years, the program has helped agencies and non-profit organizations with limited advertising funds advance their missions.
We had to pitch our PSA idea to leadership at the New Mexico Human Services Department in a “Shark Tank” style presentation called “Pitches for the People.” We developed a data-driven pitch that demonstrated how we would further the Department’s mission, goals, and strategic plan through a public awareness campaign. With a draft ad already produced, we were able to show how the ads could help rebrand the child support program from one that some view as punitive to one that helps children and parents. Leadership gave us the green light for our idea, and we moved into final production of the ads.
The “modern” ads
In August, we kicked off our public awareness campaign called “The Modern Child Support Family Program.” We highlighted our modernization efforts, including helping noncustodial parents with job development and job opportunities through a partnership with the Department of Workforce Solutions. The ads also noted that child support orders are now based on a noncustodial parent’s ability to pay, which results in more payments and less debt.
Our ads needed to reach a broad group of residents, so we produced television and radio announcements in English and Spanish and a radio ad in Navajo . The ads will air approximately 13,680 times, which is an estimated airtime value of $184,063. Since the ads only cost our program $50,000 through the NMBA Public Education Partnership, this is a significant return on investment and a great way to highlight how we are helping New Mexico's children and families.
For more information about this campaign, email Betina.McCracken@state.nm.us.
eSignatures Improve Efficiency and Experience
Michigan Office of Child Support
The Michigan Office of Child Support recently began using electronic signature (eSignature) software to serve parents, caretakers, and other program participants more effectively. While the pandemic prompted us to use eSignature software, its efficiency and convenience will make it a mainstay in the program.
Pilot and software launch
Before the pandemic, staff typically met with participants in person. The pandemic forced the program to dramatically limit in-person activities, and offices quickly adapted to remote work using secure software like Zoom. However, they still needed options for signing documents remotely and securely.
Fortunately, Michigan had entered into a new contract for an enterprise-wide eSignature software shortly before the pandemic. Our office was among the first government programs to adopt the software. We tested it, then aggressively piloted and launched it program-wide.
eSignatures have been a success:
- Our office consistently receives positive feedback from staff and participants.
- Over 70 local offices have enrolled with the software.
- Almost 3,000 electronic transactions have been successfully completed since March 2021.
- IV-D staff continue to find new uses for the software.
Before implementation, we confirmed that eSignatures were allowed by Michigan law and court rules governing child support. We confirmed that the software complied with relevant security and confidentiality requirements, including the IRS Publication 1075. Equally as important, our office confirmed the software was easy for staff and participants to use.
How the software works
To eSign a document, participants need a desktop or mobile device and an email account. Here’s how participants sign documents:
- Our staff obtains the participant’s consent to use an electronic signature and confirms their email address.
- Our staff uploads the document to be signed and uses the software to generate an email to the signer.
- Signers click a link in the email that takes them to a secure site where they “sign” the document by clicking a button or using their finger.
No sensitive data travels unencrypted by email. The software provides an audit trail of the entire transaction, and signers can download a copy of the document they sign.
Not only is this process easy, but eSignatures offer several benefits:
- Avoids the need for participants to find childcare or transportation or miss work for just a signature
- May be integrated into a remote meeting, allowing real-time signing during the conversation
- Can help avoid physical interaction when parties have tense relationships or a history of domestic violence
- Significantly reduces the cost and return time for signatures, avoiding mail delays and documents being lost or misplaced by participants
Our office encourages state child support programs that have not yet adopted eSignature software to explore it and determine if similar tools exist in their state’s IT environment. Remote transactions and eSignatures are becoming part of the future in Michigan’s child support program, even when social distancing becomes part of the past.
Children’s Health Month: Promote Medicaid and CHIP Coverage
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
October is Children’s Health Month, which is a great time to remind parents and caregivers of the benefits that come with enrolling children in free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). With health insurance, children can access routine immunizations and check-ups, mental and behavioral health services, eye exams, dental visits, and other essential health care services.
For children who already have access to health care, it is also a great time to catch up on any missed well-child visits, get a flu shot, and look into options for children 12 years or older to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign wants to remind you that eligible children and teens up to age 19 can enroll in Medicaid and CHIP year-round. Connecting kids to health insurance gives them the opportunity to access essential medical care and can give parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing they are protected.
Enrolling in Medicaid and CHIP
Health insurance is an important tool in keeping kids on the right path to good health. Although many children and teens qualify and are already enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, millions remain uninsured. It's estimated that 57.7% of uninsured kids are currently eligible to enroll in free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid and CHIP.
Children and teens already enrolled may have also missed well-child visits and other routine care due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. According to preliminary data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (PDF), there were 21% fewer child screenings and 39% fewer dental services this past year. Once enrolled, these important services and many others are covered through Medicaid and CHIP.
Enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP is open year-round, allowing parents and caretakers to immediately sign up and access benefits. Coverage must be renewed annually. Eligibility varies by state and is based on household size and income, but professionals working with children can direct families to learn more through the “Find Coverage for Your Family” map on InsureKidsNow.gov or by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669). Families currently receiving the monthly child tax credit may still qualify for Medicaid and CHIP. The website has shareable materials like social media posts, graphics, and short informational videos for parents and caregivers. You can also access helpful resources like FAQs, print materials, and toolkits to share information about the programs across different channels.
It’s not too late for kids and teens to get access to health care and the benefits that come with it. Help a child get enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and give families the reassurance that children are protected year-round.
Configuring Payroll Systems is Key
Beverly J. Wooten CP, Payroll Manager at Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales and Service and a member of the American Payroll Association
It’s been said that your payroll software is only as smart as the one who does the programming. But what exactly does that mean to those of us responsible for ensuring that the correct amount is deducted for child support or other garnishments? Who is really responsible—the programmer, software provider, or the employer? We go through our daily routine of processing garnishments and assume that the system is calculating and deducting the correct amounts … until it doesn’t. Most payroll systems have basic programming to handle garnishments, and that configuration consists of rules, schemas, tables, and more. The more specialized your payroll becomes, the more you should know about your system’s configuration.
Understand federal and state law
What should you look for when troubleshooting incorrect calculations and where should you begin? Always begin by reviewing the initial data entry. The payroll professional specializing in child support and garnishments should have a good understanding of the laws that surround each type of garnishment, whether the order was issued by federal, state, or local entities. Child support follows federal guidelines but is also subject to the state laws defining disposable income, withholding limits, service fees, etc. It's important to know how each state defines disposable income and for what type of garnishment the definition applies.
For example, Colorado defines disposable wages as gross wages minus applicable taxes and medical insurance. Sounds simple, right? We may understand what medical insurance means, but what happens when your programmer doesn’t? They may incorrectly add pet insurance or accident insurance to the calculation. This would make you—the employer—out of compliance and liable.
Legislative and system updates
Other items to consider are legislative changes, and we have experienced several in the last year. As payroll becomes increasingly complex and new types of wages must be created for income (Covid-19 sick pay, voting days, etc.) per legislation, you should guide your programmer to accurately include or exclude these wage types. The payroll professional must also know what defines wages for each state to determine whether these income types are subject to child support or other types of garnishments. Also, every software package is subject to updates that may include changes to configuration that affects the calculation of a deduction.
Knowledge is the best way to manage the complexities of child support and other garnishments, and there are many reliable resources available. You can visit OCSE’s Employer webpage to find state and tribal contacts and requirements for specific program areas. Your success depends on knowing your payroll system and the federal and state requirements. Get involved and share your expertise!
Resource Alert: Helping Domestic Violence Survivors
The OCSE Family Violence webpage has resources and tools that child support programs can use to help victims safely and confidentially obtain child support. If you are a parent or family member concerned about family violence, contact the toll-free National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for information and resources near you.
About Child Support Report
Child Support Report is published monthly by the Office of Child Support Enforcement. We welcome articles and high-quality digital photos to consider for publication. We reserve the right to edit for style, content and length, or not accept an article. OCSE does not endorse the practices or individuals in this newsletter. You may reprint an article in its entirety (or contact the author or editor for permission to excerpt); please identify Child Support Report as the source.
| JooYeun Chang Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families | Linda Boyer Acting Commissioner, OCSE |
| Crystal Peeler Acting Director, Division of Customer Communications | Andrew Phifer Editor, CSR.Editor@acf.hhs.gov |