Linda Boyer, Acting Commissioner, OCSE

August is Child Support Awareness Month, and this year marks 25 years since the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) was enacted into law. This piece of legislation gave the child support program new tools to help support millions of children nationwide.

One important tool that PRWORA established is the National Directory of New Hires that requires employers to report new employees. Getting employer data on a regular basis allows the child support program to locate parents, determine if they could pay child support, and deduct payments from their paychecks. Our office continues to simplify and streamline processes through automated tools, portal enhancements, and standardized procedures that help states collect child support. In FY 2020, our collection rate remained at an all-time high of 66%.

OCSE also supports efforts that help parents secure jobs that provide for their families. OCSE assists through grants like CSPED, Section 1115 waiver projects like Families Forward, and authorizing state use of incentive funds for employment programs. Our Knowledge Works initiative also helps child support agencies implement or enhance employment programs for noncustodial parents by highlighting best practices in other jurisdictions. These efforts help increase participation in the workforce, improve compliance with court-ordered child support, and support financial self-sufficiency.

Cost-effective investment

Policies and innovations like these have helped make child support one of the most cost-effective government programs. For every $1 spent in FY 2020, the child support program collected $5.51. We partner with state, tribal, and local governments to accomplish this significant return on investment. The program’s cost-effectiveness, collections, and caseload are highlighted in our annual national infographic (PDF). States and territories use their individual state infographics to advocate for their programs with legislators and policymakers.

The role of the child support program has shifted from recovering state public assistance costs, and it now focuses on family support. In FY 2020, the program collected $34.9 billion (PDF) and 95% went to families.

As we celebrate Child Support Awareness Month, I want to thank the child support professionals who work hard every day to make the program successful. Let’s continue our long history of thinking outside the box and developing innovative solutions that better support children.

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Yvette Riddick, OCSE Director, Division of Policy and Training

The fourth edition of the Essentials for Attorneys Handbook is now available on our website. Last updated in 2002, this revised—and greatly expanded—handbook is the culmination of over four years of work.

The original handbook was published in the 1990s and has had several updates. Those editions featured:

• The roles and relationships of OCSE, its regional counterparts, and state child support programs
• Guidance on case preparation
• Best practices from experienced child support attorneys
• Useful exhibits and flowcharts

Chapters also referenced federal forms and resources, cited state case law, and included references to state-specific provisions. The handbook has always been geared toward the IV-D attorney; however, non-attorneys will also find it helpful because it describes changes in the child support program.

New material

In 2016, OCSE decided to update the handbook, and we began interviewing IV-D attorneys throughout the country. We talked to state and tribal attorneys practicing in both judicial and administrative settings. We asked attorneys if they were familiar with the current Essentials Guide and about half were. We also asked attorneys about the handbook’s usefulness and what topics were most useful to them. The attorneys requested that case law be included and suggested practical tools like checklists and forms.

Based on those conversations, we added practical tools and new chapters that cover:

• Consent Procedures
• Military
• Domestic Violence
• Access and Visitation  

We also expanded the interstate chapter to address intergovernmental case processing, including international cases. All the chapters were written by attorneys with experience in the IV-D program.

While writing the fourth edition, there were even more changes to the child support program. Some of these changes were legal, some technological, and some reflect the impact of social media. But through it all, the role of the IV-D attorney continues to be an important one. We believe that the fourth edition reflects a good balance between the history of the program and the ever-evolving legal arena in which the child support attorney works.

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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Another school year is approaching, which means it’s time to make sure kids and teens are ready to put their best selves forward. One way to help students prepare to go back to school is to ensure they’re getting routine vaccinations, check-ups, dental and eye care, and other preventive services.

The back-to-school season is also a good time to catch up on well-child visits and get back on track with any missed vaccinations. In fact, preliminary 2020 data show that children’s health screenings are down 21% compared to the previous year  (PDF). While services have rebounded for primary and preventive care, millions of services still need to be delivered to make up for those that were missed during the pandemic.

The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign wants to remind you that with health insurance from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), eligible children and teens up to age 19 can receive access to vital health care. This can help parents and caretakers rest a little easier knowing their kids are covered for any care they may need.

Benefits of Medicaid and CHIP for school-aged children

Health insurance allows children to thrive — both at school and in life. Children with health insurance are more likely to graduate from high school and college compared to their peers who don’t have access to care. Studies have also shown that children with health coverage are less likely to miss school due to illness and are better prepared to learn. Fewer missed school days may also allow kids and teens to stay involved with after-school activities like clubs and sports.

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). 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.

Getting kids covered in time for school not only supports good health but also their ability to make the most of their school year. Together, we can promote enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP and encourage families to take advantage of health coverage available to kids. 

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Be careful using fans without air conditioning when temperatures are 95 degrees or higher—especially if it is a dry heat. In those situations, fans can cause a person to overheat faster because they act like a convection oven.

The safest cooling method is air conditioning. Use the buddy system to find and get to a public cooling center near you. You can also take cool showers and baths to help reduce body temperature.

Call the national Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program hotline at 1-866-674-6327 if you need help paying for an air conditioning unit or paying your electric bill. You will be referred to the local office serving your area. 

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