Child Support Services Date

Purpose Child Support Services exists to establish and enforce court orders for paternity, child support and medical support for children. Dual priorities: Collect and distribute support to families; collect reimbursement of public assistance funds expended. California collected more than $2.2 billion in FFY 2011.

Outline CSS Structure, Mission and Vision  Why do we do what we do? Customers – Who are they?  Local caseload demographics Performance  How do we stack up?

Who are the customers? Any family that receives cash public assistance (CalWORKs) MUST apply for child support services to receive aid. Any family that requests services, regardless of aid status. In FFY 2011, almost 60% of child support was collected on behalf of current and former CalWORKs families

Government Structure Federal law requires all states to maintain a method for collecting child support as a condition of receiving public assistance funding. In California, Child Support Services is administered by the State Department of Child Support Services and run by 51 Local and Regional Child Support Agencies (LCSAs) LCSAs in California are county agencies with county employees.

Funding for CSS Funding is provided by state and federal dollars. (66% Federal, 34% State).  No county contribution.

Legal Authority for CSS Federal regulatory requirements are established and administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement. Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq.

Legal Authority for CSS State direction and control is set by statute and regulation  Family Code Sections –  Title 22, Division 13 California Administrative Code State DCSS oversees:  Legal, Policy, Program, Special Projects  California Child Support Automation System (CCSAS)  State Disbursement Unit (SDU)

“Statewideness” State directs local agency policy  Quarterly audits for compliance with State and Federal case management requirements and data reliability Single statewide computer system for child support agencies  Complete since November 2008  Allows better locate, case processing functions  Allows cases to move seamlessly as a family moves between counties  SDU processes payments

Federal Performance Measures Federal regulations set state/local child support agency performance measures. State funding is contingent on meeting or exceeding set performance goals. A limited set of funding incentives are available to high- performing states. Penalties are assessed against states failing to meet goals or system requirements.

Federal Performance Measures Paternity Establishment Support Order Establishment % of Current Support Collected % of Cases with a Payment on Arrears Cost-to-Collection ratio

What do we do, and how do we do it? Establish paternity Establish support orders Enforce support orders

Establish Paternity Both parents can sign a form (POP Form, for Paternity Opportunity Program) in the hospital, welfare office or CSS office, or Court process Genetic Testing (DNA) is free and encouraged

Establish Support Order Both parents can sign an agreement (Stipulation) in the CSS office, or Court Process, or If non-custodial parent doesn’t participate, CSS will have a Default Order entered

California State Guideline Family Code Section 4055 – a complex algebraic formula considering both parents’ income, % of timeshare, and other factors  Tax filing status  Schedule A deductions  Medical expenses  Other children

State Guideline See the State DCSS website for the calculator:

Military Members - Support Most California courts are more attuned to military pay than before – but you may need to educate about base pay, BAH/BAS, special duty pays and tax-free status. Deployments: can I set a review hearing to adjust support when I get back?

Enforce the Support Order – Direct Enforcement Wage Orders (70% of all collections)  DFAS now electronic – too easy! Voluntary Payments – cash, check, credit card! Property liens Bank Levies

Enforce the Support Order – Direct Enforcement Intercept Programs  Federal, State Tax refunds  Stimulus Funds  Unemployment Insurance  Disability Insurance  Social Security  Some Veterans Payments  Alaskan Permanent Fund Payments

Enforce the Support Order – Indirect Enforcement License Suspensions  Drivers’ Licenses  Medical, Law, Barbers, Real Estate, etc. Civil Contempt Passport Denial Program Criminal Sanctions

Modifications Most offices will do out-of-court stipulations if both parties are willing – some local courts still want to see both parties in court. Suggest telephone conferences or webinars to discuss modifications – avoid the travel expense if out of area!

County Office(s) Address

County Statistics Services:  Number of Families Served Number  Collections Distributed to Families $ Amount

County Military Liaisons Name   phone Name   phone

Links Military Parents: Military Employers:

Questions?