Survey Responses
The 14 states below provided additional details about their employment program in response to a 2019 National Council of Child Support Directors survey.
Colorado
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Select jurisdictions
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
In a mixture of large-, medium- and small-sized counties across the state
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
Local county programs primarily use CSPED-related Section 1115 waiver funds and/or TANF county block grant dollars.
- How much does it cost annually?
Child support services in Colorado are county-administered; thus, the state is not able to provide total cost across all local programs. During Colorado’s 2019 legislative session, however, the Joint Budget Committee appropriated approximately $1.8 million from state TANF long-term reserve funds for DCSS to directly fund local child support employment/supportive services programs.
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both, depending on the local county program.
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
All of the above, depending on the local county program.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Depends on the local county program.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
All of the above, depending on the local county program.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Referrals to local workforce centers, provision of work supports, for example, boots, clothes, CDL, resumé writing, interview prep, on-the job training, subsidized employment, intensive job search, GED classes — depends on the local county program.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Depends on local county program; but, may include local workforce centers and other community-based employment service providers, relationship education providers, pro bono legal service providers, community-based substance use providers, domestic service providers, pro bono mediation services, financial planning services.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Child support services in Colorado are county-administered; thus, not able to provide total number of parents served across all local programs. The appropriation made by the Joint Budget Committee during Colorado’s 2019 legislative session aims to serve approximately 500 parents per year over a three-year time period.
- How many people gained employment?
Child support services in Colorado are county-administered; thus, not able to provide total number of parents gaining employment across all local programs.
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
Outcomes are tracked at the local county program level. With regard to the appropriation made by the Joint Budget Committee during Colorado’s 2019 legislative session, outcomes will be tracked related to the following three goals: 1) child support payment, 2) employment outcomes (i.e., attainment, wages, retention), and 3) parent-child relationships.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
This is not currently tracked at a statewide level. Unsure if local county programs are tracking. The best sources for this data in Colorado come from the evaluation of the Arapahoe County Parents to Work Program and the national Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration project.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Keri Batchelder
Email: keri.batchelder@state.co.us
Delaware
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Statewide
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
N/A
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
TANF funding
- How much does it cost annually?
TANF funding amount unknown; IV-A pays bill. Employment and Training vendor is paid for successfully placing the NCP in a job.
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
A parent can access the program through referrals from child support staff, Dept. of Justice attorney, or family court, and through word of mouth.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Have a child support case and be unemployed or under-employed.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Slow enforcement activities for those actively participating. Reinstate driver’s licenses. Hold off on contempt petition filings. We will not hold off on any informed action that will bring funds in the door, such as tax intercepts, liens, and FIDM.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Job skills assessment, interview practice, GED, direct referrals to hiring employers, mentoring, job training, and referrals to certificate programs.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Delaware Division of Child Support Services works closely in partnership with sister agencies, Division of Social Services and Department of Labor, to provide better services to noncustodial parents.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Over 200, but we want more; we have the capacity to serve 1,200 per year.
- How many people gained employment?
25
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
We have recently started tracking total amount paid from all actively participating noncustodial parents on a quarterly basis.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
Unknown at this time; there is no cost to IV-D.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Erastus Mong'are
Email: Erastus.Mong'are@delaware.gov
Ted Mermigos
Email: Theodore.Mermigos@delaware.gov
Maryland
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Select jurisdictions
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
We have a statewide payment incentive program. All 24 jurisdictions have a program in connection with TANF Workforce Development. Individual programs are in Baltimore city, Baltimore county, Caroline county, Talbot county, Somerset county, and Washington county. Regional programs are hosted by Baltimore county, Caroline county, and Wicomico county.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
TANF funds.
- How much does it cost annually?
(No answer provided.)
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
It varies.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
It varies.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Some of the programs offer cancellation of state-owed arrears.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
It varies.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
It varies.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
It varies by program.
- How many people gained employment?
(No answer provided.)
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
(No answer provided.)
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
(No answer provided.)
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Jarnice Johnson
Email: Jarnice.Johnson@maryland.gov
Michigan
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Select jurisdictions
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
Calhoun County and Jackson County.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
Families Forward Demonstration Project grant and 1115 waiver.
- How much does it cost annually?
$450,745
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Voluntary
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Parents can be referred by a support enforcement officer, community partner, or self-refer.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
No
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Review and modification, suppression of enforcement remedies, financial incentive when pre-set milestones are reached.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Training in in-demand job fields. Resumé services. Assistance obtaining job related materials. Transportation services. Assistance locating employers that are hiring. Soft skills training.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Michigan Works!, Jackson Community College, Kellogg Community College
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
20
- How many people gained employment?
18
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.
- Number of participants that completed their training program
- Number of participants securing employment in the sector of their training and what were their starting wages
- Participants’ child support outcomes
- Participants’ earnings and employment outcomes
- Participants’ child support payments, employment, and earnings increase after program entry
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
This has yet to be determined.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Kimberly Kerns
Missouri
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Collaborative partners and fatherhood programs with employment components are statewide. Dedicated employment programs are in select areas of the state.
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
Dedicated employment programs are located in St. Louis, St. Charles, Kansas City, Buchanan County, and Southeast Missouri.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
TANF
- How much does it cost annually?
Dedicated employment programs total $1,341,182.
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Voluntary
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Referrals are received in a variety of ways, including from state staff, community organizations, and other state agencies.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Requirements vary from program to program.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Child support incentives include a dedicated caseworker for all the parent’s child support cases, immediate relief and review of license suspensions, reduced collection on arrears payments, immediate modification reviews, etc.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Services include intensive employment services and on-the-job training. (WIOA funds may be available for some programs). Employment specialists may provide pre-employment training that focuses on resumé building, interviewing skills, and rapid job search. Employment specialists also provide post-employment services that include employment education and training, support services, mentoring groups, comprehensive job assistance, and job retention skills.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis “Save our Sons Program,” Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis “Transition for Change Program,” Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri “Empowering Dads to Gain Employment Program,” Full Employment Council of Kansas City “Job Readiness Project,” and St. Joseph Youth Alliance “Providing Opportunities for Work, Education, and Responsibility Project.”
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Varies from program to program.
- How many people gained employment?
Varies from program to program.
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
All of the above are tracked, as well as consecutive payments made in 30-, 60-, and 90- day increments.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
Varies from program to program.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
John Ginwright, Family Support Division Deputy Director
615 Howerton Court, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
Email: John.B.Ginwright@dss.mo.gov
New Mexico
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Select jurisdictions are piloting our Supporting, Training, Employing Parents (STEP Up) Program.
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
During the piloting of the STEP Up Program, the onsite employment specialists are funded by the New Mexico Dept. of Workforce Solutions. For SFY 21, state general funds.
- How much does it cost annually?
The cost to the Child Support Enforcement Division is anticipated to be $298,700 in state funds for SFY21.
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Currently voluntary, but we will transition to making mandatory.
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Referral to the STEP Up Program is based upon the IV-D program’s Ability to Pay assessment and the noncustodial parent’s current employment situation.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
An Independent Employment Plan (IEP) is developed in collaboration with the noncustodial parent. The IEP will address roadblocks to employment, such as substance abuse, education level, mental health limitations, and other employability issues.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
We will offer employment, license reinstatement, and assigned arrears compromise.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
The above-mentioned IEP development will identify skills, and then build a resumé, make job referrals and track them, along with tracking job interviews.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
The New Mexico Dept. of Workforce Solutions
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
The Step Up! Program has served 169 noncustodial parents.
- How many people gained employment?
Since beginning Rio Rancho’s pilot program in August 2019, through the implementation of the 3 other pilot offices to October 2020, 49, NCPs have found employment.
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
New Mexico Child Support is in the process of modernizing its program. We are working on enacting legislation to revise child support guidelines to base child support obligations on actual income instead of an imputation of minimum wage. Obtaining a “right size order” should result in a higher percentage of noncustodial parents paying support.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
We do not have sufficient data to determine the ROI at this time. On a higher level, CSED spent $15M on legal enforcement activities over the last 10 years and only collected $5 million dollars in directly correlated contempt payments. Because of the poor return on investment from legal enforcement and because payments received from employers is between 60% to 75% of the annual child support collections, we estimate that by focusing on employment services instead of legal enforcement our cost effectiveness ratio will move from $3.50 to $4.50.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Jillian Goodmacher
Email: Jillian.Goodmacher@state.nm.us
North Dakota
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Statewide
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
N/A
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
TANF funds
- How much does it cost annually?
Approximately $40k per month to provide the services plus $42k per federal fiscal year for supportive service payments.
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
For voluntary participation, a parent can be referred by a child support caseworker.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
The parent must be a child support obligor.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Under certain conditions, a driver's license may be reinstated. Also, a participant may be eligible to receive some supportive services such as work clothing, transportation assistance, and phone cards.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Job readiness and support in finding and keeping a job.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Job Service North Dakota is the vendor.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
451 obligors were enrolled in SFY 2018.
- How many people gained employment?
141 obligors exited the program due to gaining employment. If an obligor exited the program for another reason, which is determined by the PRIDE coordinator, it is possible the obligor may have also gained employment, but they would not be included in the 141 mentioned.
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
North Dakota compares data from 6 months prior to referral to data from 6 months post referral. Data captured includes: sum of collections and percentage change, average collection per month, number of months in which a collection was received and percentage change, and percentage of months in which a collection was received.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
This is not a number that has been calculated.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Terry Peterson
Email: tpeterson@nd.gov
South Carolina
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Statewide
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
N/A
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
Funding is mixed, but predominantly TANF.
- How much does it cost annually?
$2 million
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both, with most coming from referrals from the child support program and the family court contempt process.
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Referrals are permitted from all sources. Many come from our agency's other components, such as the Child Welfare Division and Family Preservation.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Yes. All listed are part of the curriculum.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
We offer all those listed, with the exception of debt compromise, provided that the individual is enrolled in one of our fatherhood programs and is making an honest effort to obtain stable employment.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Skills assessment, job search skills, resumé preparation, interview classes, clothing for interviews, transportation in many cases. Job-retention skills are also taught to those who continue their enrollment beyond employment.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Enrollment is fluid, but at any given time, about 1,600 noncustodial parents are enrolled state-wide.
- How many people gained employment?
1,754 between October 1, 2018 and June 20, 2019.
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
Since the sample is fairly small and fluid, we do not track this segment of the caseload by payment type. We do track, however, aspects such as increased parenting time, improvement in academic performance, and modification of existing visitation orders.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
The division lacks the resources to undertake this type of study.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Steve Yarborough
Email: Stephen.Yarborough@dss.sc.gov
Tennessee
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Select jurisdictions.
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 30th Judicial Districts which include our urban offices of Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville. Murfreesboro, and Memphis.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
TANF
- How much does it cost annually?
(No answer provided.)
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Mostly child support referrals.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Our employment programs also include some parenting education as well.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
We suspend certain enforcement activities and will assist with license reinstatement.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Resumé building, interview preparation, job postings, community resources, job training, and transportation assistance.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
The Department of Labor is the key provider for employment services.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Approximately 800.
- How many people gained employment?
(No answer provided.)
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
(No answer provided.)
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
(No answer provided.)
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
David Teasdale, Program Manager
Email: David.Teasdale@tn.gov
Texas
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes, we have a joint NCP Choices Program that works in partnerships with the Texas Workforce Commission and local workforce boards across the State of Texas to serve underemployed and unemployed noncustodial parents.
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
The program operates in 21 local workforce boards across the state. The program is implemented statewide but there are some areas and counties where the program is not operational and unavailable.
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
NCP Choices Program operates across metropolitan cities including Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Harlingen, Brownsville, Pharr, Dallas, McKinney, Beaumont, Longview, Nacogdoches, Nederland, Tyler, Houston, La Marque, Austin, Pflugerville, Temple, Bryan, Victoria, El Paso, Fort Worth, and Denton. Counties where the program is operational include Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, King, Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Victoria, Dewitt, Goliad, Lavaca, Jackson, Calhoun, Travis, Williamson, Bell, Cameron, Potter, Randall, Deaf Smith, Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Hidalgo, Starr, Bexar, Brazos, Leon, Burleson, Washington, Robertson, Madison, Grimes, Taylor, Nueces, El Paso, Webb, Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Orange, Hardin, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Angelina, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, and Van Zandt Counties.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
Funding for the program comes from statewide TANF employment funds appropriated to TWC with additional funding coming from child support federal performance incentive funds. The Office of the Attorney General annually requests and receives approval to reinvest approximately $2.5 million of federal incentive funding to be expended for the NCP Choices Program. The Office of the Attorney General also contractually partners with Texas Workforce Commission who allocates up to $4.0 million from TANF funding. Combined, the funding is allocated through the (IAC) Interagency Cooperation Contract and Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Workforce Commission, and the local workforce boards.
- How much does it cost annually?
In the 2019 fiscal year, total expenditures were $6,253,228.88
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Every enrollment into the program requires a court order that includes language to participate in NCP Choices. The Office of the Attorney General will enroll through judicial court settings in addition to CSRP (Child Support Review Process) orders that are via administrative process in the local offices. All enrollments through a CSRP order are still required to include court-ordered participation language in the proposed order. For orders on establishment cases, a noncustodial parent may decline to participate. For enforcement orders with contempt language, participation is involuntary.
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Participation in the NCP Choices Program becomes mandatory once a court order is drawn up with the NCP Choices language. However, a noncustodial parent may decline to participate on an establishment case. Enrollments into the program are the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney General staff. However, judges may also order a noncustodial parent into the program who is eligible through a court order.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Eligible noncustodial parents for the NCP Choices Program must have a Social Security number, be underemployed or unemployed, live in the county or jurisdiction of the local workforce board, and be physically able to work and not facing long-term incarceration. All enrollees must also be court ordered in order to participate.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
No enhanced child support services are offered for participation through the Office of the Attorney General. The NCP Choices Program does offer various support services and incentives that a noncustodial parent can utilize by remaining compliant with the program requirements. The local workforce boards will provide incentives to compliant and reporting noncustodial parents in the forms of gift cards, gift certificates, or vouchers to those enrollees who gained employment and held employment and are meeting the program requirements. Local workforce boards will also provide support services to noncustodial parents including gas cards, bus passes, rental reimbursement, and reimbursement for utility and phone bills. Local workforce boards may also provide reimbursement for work-related expenses to assist noncustodial parents. Local workforce boards may also offer on-the-job training where workforce will pay an employer or reimburse an employer for providing training. Local workforce boards can also provide subsidized and unsubsidized employment. For unsubsidized employment, wages are paid in full by the employer to the noncustodial parent. Local workforce boards may also provide vocational training and educational services such as education leading to a high school diploma or adult education and literacy services.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Key employment services include job readiness services that include job counseling, mock interviews, resumé building, and assistance with job applications and life skills. Local workforce boards will provide job search assistance including seeking and obtaining information on available jobs. Other job search activities include attending job fairs, participating in job clubs, and contacting job referrals. Additional job search assistance includes interviewing and applying for job vacancies and contacting potential employers. Local workforce boards will provide referrals to noncustodial parents to increase the chance of gaining employment. Local workforce boards may offer work experience to enrollees that includes providing work without pay or compensation that allows noncustodial parents to gain skills or job experience that will better their chances of gaining full-time employment. Some local workforce boards may offer on-the-job training to noncustodial parents with selected employers that is similar to work experience. Local workforce boards will offer short-term private-sector employment where a portion of the individual’s wages is subsidized. Local workforce boards also may offer unsubsidized employment, and the key difference is wages are paid in full by the employer. Local workforce boards may offer vocational training to prepare noncustodial parents for a specific trade, occupation, or vocation. In addition to all of these employment services, local workforce boards may offer educational activities leading to a high school diploma or completion of a high school equivalency or adult education services.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
The Office of the Attorney General and Texas Workforce Commission funding is distributed to the local workforce boards who will provide most of the employment-related services and funding. The local workforce boards also have contracts to provide one-on-one guidance counselors to noncustodial parents enrolled into the program. These local guidance counselors or career counselors meet with noncustodial parents weekly and provide the employment services and support services as needed and available.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
For fiscal year 2019, there were 4,690 noncustodial parents enrolled. For fiscal year 2018, there were 4,493 noncustodial parents enrolled.
- How many people gained employment?
(No answer provided.)
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
The Office of the Attorney General tracks total enrollments, total collections, and the percent of noncustodial parents who have paid at least $50. We also track the return on investment for the program in comparison to the nationwide return on investment.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
For the Texas NCP Choices during the 2019 fiscal year, every $1 spent resulted in $10.35 collected.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
(No answer provided.)
Vermont
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Statewide
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
N/A
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
(No answer provided.)
- How much does it cost annually?
$65,000
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Court-ordered
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
N/A
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Because we access resources/assets from Vocational Rehabilitation, there must be a barrier of some sort to employment. However, this is not difficult to establish in most cases (e.g., lack of HS diploma, no driver's license).
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
We offer driver’s license reinstatement if there is cooperation and active participation, also suppression of enforcement remedies. We are considering seeking an 1115 waiver to permit the issuance of $25 travel cards.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Every person is screened by an Employment Assistance Program (EAP) counselor for employment barriers. These include substance use disorder, physical disabilities, etc. Individuals are also interviewed for employment history and abilities, and NCPs are referred to the appropriate consultants. For example, if there is history of a chronic medical issue, we have had success in referring NCPs to individuals who assist with filing for title II or title XVI benefits. Once awarded, we can close out the case in some instances.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
EAP counselors, Voc Rehab, employment counselors. Oftentimes there are other referrals made to other entities, for example TANF, SNAP, etc.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Approximately 175-200.
- How many people gained employment?
We are in the process of gathering that data.
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
Total collections 6 months prior to referral compared to 6 months after referral.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
We are currently working on this analysis.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Paul Wolf
Email: Paul.Wolf@vermont.gov
Virginia
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Statewide
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
N/A
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
Funded with state and federal funds.
- How much does it cost annually?
N/A
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Child support staff refer parents.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
N/A
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, and suppression of enforcement remedies.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Employment services are based on assessment to remove barriers. These include: job search help, GED classes, and transportation.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Virginia Employment Commission and Goodwill Industries.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
N/A
- How many people gained employment?
N/A
- What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
N/A
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
N/A
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Leslie Montgomery
Email: leslie.montgomery@dss.virginia.gov
Wisconsin
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Statewide
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
N/A
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
The Five County Demonstration Project uses state funds with a portion drawing down federal match under a Section 1115 waiver. Children First is funded through state funds. The Child Support Liaisons work with child support agencies but are not funded through the Bureau of Child Support.
- How much does it cost annually?
The Five County Demonstration Project does not have a consistent funding history; its predecessor, Supporting Parents Supporting Kids, was funded through the national CSPED grant from 2012-2018. Children First is funded at $1,140,000 per year. Funding levels for the Child Support Liaison position were not available at the time this survey was completed.
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
The Five County Demonstration Project is voluntary. Children First is court-ordered (participants can stipulate into the court order).
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
Participants in the Five County Demonstration Project can be referred by child support staff as well as outside organizations. Potential participants are identified through routine interactions and working child support worklists.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Five County Demonstration Project participants go through an intake assessment process and are referred to parenting education and resources. They are also referred to other resources as needed.
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Participants in the Five County Demonstration Project are eligible for expedited order review, suspension of administrative and judicial enforcement, state debt compromise, and driver’s license reinstatement.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
Five County Demonstration Project participants are offered enhanced case management, through which their employment circumstances, assets, and challenges are assessed. Participants are assisted with barriers and given support in writing/updating their resumés and cover letters. Children First agencies are encouraged to use information gained from the employability assessment to craft employment supports that match the needs of the individual. For example, if they need to complete high school, the focus would be on connecting them with community resources that would allow the participant to meet that milestone.
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
Key partners for both Five County Demonstration Project and Children First are Job Centers, parenting providers, W-2 agencies, state Job Centers, local government agencies, and community faith-based partners who provide services to families.
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
Five County Demonstration Project: 240-300 per year (this is for the two active counties, Brown and Kenosha, and will increase when the three new participating counties begin enrollment in January 2020). Children First: Up to 2,850 per year (with an average of 1,140 per year).
- How many people gained employment?
Five County Demonstration Project: Informal measurements suggest that approximately 71% of participants in one of our participating counties are working or are expected to be working. Data for our second active county was not available at the time this survey was completed, but are similar. Our three remaining counties will not begin participant enrollment until January 2020. Employment-related results for the program’s predecessor, Supporting Parents Supporting Kids, are available in the final CSPED impact evaluation results.
Children First: These numbers are not readily available. Some participants obtain employment and others improve employment (e.g., move from part-time to full-time employment). - What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
Five County Demonstration Project: Each county collects a range of child support outcomes, which include but are not limited to average number of days following enrollment to first payment and percentage of support paid.
Children First: Outcomes are not currently tracked when they leave the program.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
Five County Demonstration Project: This information is not readily available, but the program design is based upon the program’s predecessor, Supporting Parents Supporting Kids, which was a CSPED project (the cost-benefit analysis for CSPED was publicized in 2019 and indicated that the long-term payoff would be more beneficial than that of the short-term).
Children First: This information is not readily available.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Alicia Breininger
Email: Alicia.Breininger@wisconsin.gov
Wyoming
Operation
- Does your state operate a child support related employment program for noncustodial parents?
Yes; as a pilot/test program
- Does the employment program operate statewide or only in select jurisdictions?
Currently only operating in select counties on a Pilot basis
- If only in select jurisdictions, please list where it operates:
Operating in Laramie, Campbell, and Fremont Counties.
Funding and Cost
- How is your employment program funded? For example, is it funded with TANF, 1115 waiver, an exemption for reinvestment of incentives?
Funded with TANF unspent funds (with plans to braid other funding sources (i.e. incentives) in the future).
- How much does it cost annually?
Year 1: $1,038,000 (This is a projection and we will know if it is on target, too much or too little, after the pilot).
Participation
- Is program participation mandatory/court ordered, or voluntary, or both?
Both
- If voluntary participation is allowed, how does a parent access the program? For example can Child Support staff refer, can outside Community Based Organizations refer, can TANF refer, can a tribal IV-D program refer?
A parent can voluntarily access the program via Child Support Staff Referral.
- Are there other requirements for participation, such as parenting/fatherhood classes, financial education, etc.?
Participation is individualized and participant requirements are based on their assessment and individual employment plan (IEP).
- What incentives are offered to participants or what are the enhanced child support services offered for participation? For example, does the program include debt compromise, driver's license reinstatement, suppression of enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, etc.?
Driver's/Wildlife license reinstatement, suppression of non-mandatory enforcement remedies, expedited review and adjustment, quashing of child support warrants, and forgiveness of state-owed child support arrears.
- What are the key employment services that are offered?
- Participant Assessment
- Case Management
- Employability Planning
- Training Enrollment
- Educational Services
- Participant Support Services
- Job Placement Services
Partnerships
- Who are the key partners providing the employment related services and other auxiliary services?
- The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program
- Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Adult Basic Education
- Community Colleges
- Registered Apprenticeship
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Providers
- Parenting and Financial Literacy Programs
Statistics and Outcomes
- How many people are served annually?
20 at any given time during the pilot year.
- How many people gained employment?
The first referral was made to the program on October 19, 2020. - What are the child support outcomes that you track related to the number of payments made, improvement in percent of current support paid, arrears payments made, and total collections etc.?
Tracking number of payments made, total collections, current support percentage improvements on an ongoing monthly basis.
- What is the cost-benefit or return-on-investment of the employment services?
The program is still in pilot phase.
Contact
Who is the main point of contact to obtain additional information from the child support agency for the employment program?
Clark Hunter
Email: Clark.Hunter@wyo.gov