National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant Jackie Scharping, Director Bureau of Child Support

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant and Evaluation 8 grants awarded to child support programs for demonstration  Stanislaus Co, CA, CO, IA, Stark Co, OH, SC, TN, TX and WI Companion funding opportunity  Independent third party evaluator for all sites  Cooperative agreement with a single state child support agency dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant  Section 1115 Grant  Experimental, pilot or demonstrative projects which must:  Improve financial well-being of children or improve program  No modifications to cause disadvantage  No increased cost to federal government  5 year initiative  Planning, program work, close-out  $2.26 million with federal match dcf.wisconsin.gov

Goals:  Improve reliable payment, improve child well-being and avoid dependency on public assistance programs  Examine effect on child support through employment services provided through the CS program and related outcomes including benefits and costs of employment services to NCPs dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Background:  70% of unpaid CS debt is owed by NCPs with no or low reported earnings  Barriers  Limited education,  Incarceration (past or present),  Abuse issues, and  Limited access to transportation  Perception: CS Program is a threat dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Experience  Two programs with success:  New York “Strengthening Families through Stronger Fathers”  3 year program serving 3700 NCPs  22% earned more; 38% more in CS paid than comparison group  Texas “NCP Choices”  47% more often; paid $57 more/mo; 51% increase in total collections  NCPs paid 50% more in CS than comparison group and continued to pay more and more consistently over time  CPs less likely to receive TANF benefits dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Target population:  1,000 to 1,500 NCPs who are not regularly paying child support or expected to have trouble making payments due to irregular employment  Half randomly assigned to “treatment” or “funded” group  Half assigned to “control” group for services as usual dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Required components of grant Comprehensive case management by CSA workers Coordinating services to overcome barriers to ensure full participation Developing customized service plans and provide individualized assistance Referrals to other agencies/programs and follow-up to ensure they receive those services dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Required components of grant Comprehensive case management by CSA workers Setting or revising CSOs to be realistic and hold NCPs accountable to those amounts Intense monitoring and early intervention to provide steady, reliable payments (income withholding) Consideration/suspension of certain enforcement methods Expedited review process Assisting with application to other services/benefits not part of the project Screen and monitor for family violence Case tracking and data entry dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Required components of grant Partnerships  Employment Services  Job search assistance  Job readiness training  Job placement and retention to NCP and employers with re- employment immediately following job loss  Fatherhood Activities  Promote responsible parenting and effective co-parenting  Strong peer support  Curriculum must be approved by OCSE  Domestic violence plan  Safety is top priority  Referrals to treat NCPs with tendencies of violent behavior and assist parents and children who are victims  Screening tool for intake process  Curriculum must be approved by OCSE dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

WISCONSIN’S SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS Considerations  Court orders entered in 2011 with no payment within the last six months  350 qualified participants per year  Variety of factors  CF Program  Unemployment rate  Capacity of employment and fatherhood services  Brown & Kenosha Counties  judiciary on board  position availability  125 participants/yr  Voluntary vs. court ordered placement  Nationally court ordered placements are more successful  Contacts made with each service agency to obtain letters of support dcf.wisconsin.gov National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Implementation/Planning Hiring key staff at state and local levels  2.5 BCS & 1 position/BPM .5 each county  Secure contracts/agreements with counties and service agencies  Assemble various committees at state and local levels  Development of Program Policy and Monitoring  Development of staff and sites  Curriculum and training dcf.wisconsin.gov SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS

Evaluation Purpose: Provide actionable information through rigorous evaluation about effectiveness, benefits and costs of NCP employment programs through CSAs  Institute for Research on Poverty (UW)  Long standing relationship with Child Support  Working with all 8 sites  Work closely with state and local staff to:  Ensure adequate numbers  Treatment and control groups maintain differences dcf.wisconsin.gov SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS

LONG TERM GOAL? Proof of success could lead to expansion to entire state and use as model nationally. dcf.wisconsin.gov SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS