Veterans Toolkit - Tools and Training Resources

Child Support Collaborations to Engage and Assist Veterans

Publication Date: November 2, 2017
Current as of:

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Section 2: Veterans in the Child Support Caseload

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Section 3: Program Design and Partners

  • Sample MOU between VA Compensated Work Therapy Program and Child Support Agency.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word version (DOCX))
    This sample Memorandum of Understanding for use between a Department of Veterans Affairs, Compensated Work Therapy Program and a Child Support Agency is based on one developed in 2012 between the Edith Nourse Rogers Medical Center Veterans Employment Resources/Compensated Work Therapy Program and the Child Support Division of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
    Source: Child Support Enforcement Division, Massachusetts Department of Revenue

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Section 4: Communication among Partners

  • Working with the Military on Child Support Matters, Military Trainer Guide(2023)
    This trainer’s guide contains a two-day course curriculum targeted for child support workers who process cases involving military members.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Child Support 101.pdf (PDF) (2017)
    This PowerPoint presentation is a useful training resource to help child support agencies explain the basics of the child support program to legal partners and veteran service provider partners.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement

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Section 5 - 13: Child Support Agency

  • A Trainer’s Guide: Working with the Military on Child Support Matters (2013)
    This trainer’s guide contains a two-day course curriculum targeted for child support workers who process cases involving military members.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Child Support 101.pdf (PDF) (2017)
    This PowerPoint presentation is a useful training resource to help child support agencies explain the basics of the child support program to legal partners and veteran service provider partners.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Why Know About Military Culture?
    This website has training modules on the phases of veteran service and some of the issues associated with each phase. Although designed for healthcare professionals, the information is useful for anyone who works with veterans.
    Source: Center for Deployment Psychology
  • Military Culture: Core Competencies for Healthcare Professionals
    This online training course consists of four modules that focus on understanding the influence of military culture upon health-related behaviors. Although designed for health care providers, the information is useful for child support staff who work with service members, veterans, and their families.
    Source: Uniformed Services University, Center for Deployment Psychology
  • Understanding the Military Experience of Homeless or At-Risk Veterans.pdf (PDF) (2012)
    This PowerPoint provides an overview of a veteran's military experience and possible transition difficulties that can help inform a caseworker’s interaction with a homeless or at-risk veteran.
    Source: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Based on a presentation by Tom Mitchell, Executive Director, U.S. Veterans Initiative-Texas, and Marge Wherley, ABT Associates
  • Meeting the Child Support Needs of Homeless Veterans.pdf (PDF) (2014, updated 2017)
    This PowerPoint presentation discusses disabilities that may impact homeless veterans and recommends strategies for engaging with and assisting homeless veterans with child support issues.
    Source: Shannon Welton, Supervising Attorney, San Diego County Department of Child Support Services
  • Understanding PTSD.pdf  (PDF) (2016)
    This short booklet describes what PTSD is, how to identify it, and how to find help and services to treat it.
    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • National Center for PTSD — Educational Videos
    This website contains links to educational videos focusing on PTSD treatment and recovery, and information for certain groups, such as children and veterans of specific ethnic groups. Video topics include trauma experienced by women veterans.
    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Pre-Deployment Cards.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word (DOCX))
    These small cards can be adapted for use in your state to describe steps a deploying National Guard Member or Reservist should take if the person needs to determine dependency of a non-marital child for purposes of DEERS, has a child support case and wants information about case status, earns less money on active duty and needs a modification, or has a support order for a child reaching the age of majority and has no other dependents.
    Source: Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
  • Pre-Deployment Child Support Form.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word (DOCX))
    This form can be adapted for use in conjunction with Yellow Ribbon events to help a deploying National Guard Member or Reservist request assistance with child support issues prior to deployment.
    Source: Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
  • 30-Day Reintegration Cards.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word (DOCX))
    In conjunction with Yellow Ribbon events, a child support agency can distribute cards like these to National Guard Members and Reservists returning from deployment. The cards provide information about steps the person should take if there is a DFAS garnishment, as well as contact details for any military liaison the child support agency has.
    Source: Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
  • Military Parents: Paternity, Child Support, Custody & Parenting Time  (PDF) (2014)
    This booklet contains checklists designed to help identify steps military families can take to make sure their children’s needs for financial, medical, and emotional support are met before, during, and after deployment.
    Source: Texas Attorney General, Child Support Division
  • Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative (DC).pdf  (PDF)
    This brochure is an example of a jurisdiction’s description of its child support initiative aimed at enhancing services to homeless veterans with child support obligations.
    Source: Government of the District of Columbia, Office of the Attorney General
  • Division of Child Support Veterans Resources Page  (Washington State)
    As an example of agency outreach, this website provides child support information for veterans. It also provides links to other resources the veteran may need.
    Source: Washington State Child Support Agency
  • Activated Reservists & National Guard
    As an example of agency outreach, this website provides child support information for military reservists and National Guard Members -- in particular, what they need to know when they are called to active duty.
    Source: Colorado Department of Human Services, Child Support Services
  • State Child Support Agencies with Debt Compromise Policies
    This interactive map shows which states have policies to compromise child support debt owed to the state.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Changing a Child Support Order.pdf (PDF) (2014)
    This guide offers information to help parents and those who work with them better understand the child support review and modification process. It explains how parents can request to have their child support order changed when their financial situation changes.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • How to Change a Child Support Order — State by State
    This interactive map accompanies the Changing a Child Support Order guide and provides links to specific instructions for how parents can request a change to their child support order in each state and territory.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Veterans Legal Clinic Intake Form.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word (DOCX))
    This sample intake form can be adapted for use with veterans legal clinics. It also captures useful demographic information.
    Source: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
  • MACV Legal Clinic Volunteer Guide.pdf  (PDF) (2014)
    MACV uses volunteer attorneys to help with its veterans legal clinics. For child support agencies who collaborate with a legal partner, this guide is an example of the type of information attorneys may need to provide pro bono assistance to veterans.
    Source: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
  • Representing Washington Veterans: Basic Legal and Cultural Concepts  (PDF) (2012)
    This manual answers frequently asked questions about what it means to be a veteran, explains military ranks and grades, summarizes the difference between the federal and state departments of veterans affairs, discusses VHA and VBA appeals, and identifies legal and advocacy issues that veterans often face.
    Source: Northwest Justice Project
  • Five Best Practices for SSVF Legal Services.pdf  (PDF) (2014)
    This handout identifies five best practices for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees related to legal needs of low-income veterans.
    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Legal Services and the SSVF Program.pdf (PDF) (August 2017)
    This PowerPoint explains eligible legal services under Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grants.
    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Homeless Programs, SSVF Program
  • Where’s A Lawyer When You Need One?  (PDF) (2014)
    This PowerPoint presentation was presented at the Veterans Child Support Summit, hosted by the American Bar Association in November 2014.
    Source: Renato L. Izquieta, J.D., Supervisory Attorney for Special Projects, Legal Aid Society of Orange County, CA; Sara Sommarstrom, J.D., Vetlaw, Director, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans; Jeff Yungman, LISW-CP, J.D., Director, Homeless Justice Project, Charleston, SC.
  • Veteran’s Stand Down Request for Child Support Case Review.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word (DOCX))
    This sample form, adaptable by child support agencies participating in Stand Down events, provides a format for a veteran participating in a Stand Down event to request a review of their case.
    Source: San Diego County, Child Support Dept. of Child Support Services

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Section 14: Legal Partner

Intake Forms

  • Veterans Legal Clinic Intake Form.pdf (PDF) (also available in MS Word (DOCX))
    This sample intake form can be adapted for use with veterans legal clinics. It also captures useful demographic information.
    Source: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

Child Support Resources on Modification

  • State Child Support Agencies with Debt Compromise Policies
    This interactive map shows which states have policies to compromise child support debt owed to the state.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Changing a Child Support Order.pdf (PDF) (2014)
    This guide offers information to help parents and those who work with them better understand the child support review and modification process. It explains how parents can request to have their child support order changed when their financial situation changes.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • How to Change a Child Support Order — State by State
    This interactive map accompanies the Changing a Child Support Order guide and provides links to state and territory websites for how parents can request a change to their child support order.
    Source: Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement

Guidance on Representation of Veterans

  • MACV Legal Clinic Volunteer Guide.pdf  (PDF) (2014)
    MACV uses volunteer attorneys to help with its veterans legal clinics. For child support agencies who collaborate with a legal partner, this guide is an example of the type of information attorneys may need to provide pro bono assistance to veterans.
    Source: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
  • Representing Washington Veterans: Basic Legal and Cultural Concepts  (PDF) (2012)
    This manual answers frequently asked questions about what it means to be a veteran, explains military ranks and grades, summarizes the difference between the federal and state departments of veterans affairs, discusses VHA and VBA appeals, and identifies legal and advocacy issues that veterans often face.
    Source: Northwest Justice Project
  • Five Best Practices for SSVF Legal Services.pdf  (PDF) (2014)
    This handout identifies five best practices for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees related to legal needs of low-income veterans.
    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Legal Services and the SSVF Program.pdf (PDF) (August 2017)
    This PowerPoint explains eligible legal services under Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grants.
    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Homeless Programs, SSVF Program
  • Where’s A Lawyer When You Need One?  (PDF) (2014)
    This PowerPoint presentation was presented at the Veterans Child Support Summit, hosted by the American Bar Association in November 2014.
    Source: Renato L. Izquieta, J.D., Supervisory Attorney for Special Projects, Legal Aid Society of Orange County, CA; Sara Sommarstrom, J.D., Vetlaw, Director, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans; Jeff Yungman, LISW-CP, J.D., Director, Homeless Justice Project, Charleston, SC.

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Section 15: Department of Veterans Affairs and Veteran Service Provider Partners

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