NCSEA On Location

Today’s episode comes to you from Indiana, California, and Alaska.  Join co-hosts Tim Lightner (CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.) and DeAnna Rice (California Department of Child Support Services) as they welcome Adam Norman (the IV-D Director of the Indiana Child Support Bureau).  Get to know Adam as he talks about how he got involved in child support, the structure of Indiana’s state program, and his responsibilities as the Director.  He talks about the importance of collaboration as well as relationships within the program.  Listen as Adam discusses his views and experiences with project management, policy work, and even what catches his interest during his “off the clock” time. 

This episode of On Location is a celebration of Child Support Awareness month and is hosted by Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams.  Tammy Pearson of YoungWilliams interviewed participants during the 2023 NC Child Support Conference to gain their perspectives on the importance of child support to families and on their unique contributions to the program.  Join us in celebrating the community of professionals throughout the country whose work positively impacts children and families.

Today’s episode comes to you from Michigan, North Dakota, and Alaska.  Tim Lightner (CGI) hosts current NCSEA President Erin Frisch (IV-D Director of the Michigan Child Support Program) and Immediate Past-President, Jim Fleming (Director of the Child Support Section of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services).  The conversation resumes as they talk about their challenges, successes, and passions, both during the past NCSEA year, and for the new year ahead.  They talk about NCSEA’s name change; the Leadership Symposium in Anaheim; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and so much more.  So much in fact, that we’ve presented this podcast in two parts to capture it all!  You don’t want to miss today’s completion, and if you haven’t heard Part 1, please take the time to listen to it as well. 

Today’s episode comes to you from Michigan, North Dakota, and Alaska.  Tim Lightner (CGI) hosts current NCSEA President Jim Fleming (Director of the Child Support Section of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services) with President-Elect, and incoming President Erin Frisch (IV-D Director of the Michigan Child Support Program).  The conversation centers around Jim and Erin’s leadership roles, how they started with the child support program, their involvement with NCSEA, and how they prepared for the role of president.  Listen as they talk about their challenges, successes, and passions, both during the NCSEA year now ending, and for the new year ahead.  They talk about NCSEA’s name change; the Leadership Symposium in Anaheim; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and so much more.  So much in fact, that we will present this podcast in two parts to capture it all!  You will want to hear not only today’s edition; don't miss next week’s program as well.

This episode of On Location features a conversation with Konitra Jack, the IV-D Child Support Enforcement Director for the State of Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services.  Konitra is NCSEA’s 2023 Outstanding Leader Awardee.  Her career journey as well as her commitments to community and family,  as shared with hosts Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Services, will motive you to set goals, always remember who we serve and to remember to practice self-care.  Listen and be inspired. 

Today’s program comes to you on location from California, Louisiana, and Virginia.  Mariellen Keely hosts today’s episode and is joined by Shaun Edwards (Program Planner, Sacramento County, California Child Support Services), and Gabrielle Brown-Morgan (Project Director for the Responsible Parenting Grant with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services).  They discuss their projects with the Federal Demonstration Grant that involves fifteen states and two Tribes.   Their conversation centers around the goal to educate and motivate teens and young adults to postpone parenthood until after they complete their education, start a career, and engage in a committed relationship. 

Today’s On Location comes to you from Green Bay, Wisconsin: Salem, Oregon; and Anchorage, Alaska.  Tim Lightner (CGI) hosts Lisa Skenandore (VP -- Business Development at Systems and Methods, Inc.) and Kate Cooper Richardson (Director of the Oregon Child Support Program and current President of the National Council of Child Support Directors).  You recently heard legislative updates from The Hill.  Now take a deeper look into the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and their February 2023 memo on “unauthorized” disclosure and no longer holding findings in abeyance.  Lisa and Kate talk about the direct impact on child support vendors, and how it relates to the National Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act as it currently sits in Congress.  Hear them as they discuss what is being done to address and assist -- including with NCCSD -- and the potential affects on the families we serve within the child support program.

This episode of On Location comes to you from North Carolina, Michigan, and Alaska.  Co-hosts Tim Lightner (CGI in Anchorage, AK), and Erin Frish (IV-D Director of the Michigan Child Support Program; and NCSEA President-Elect) welcome NCSEA’s newest addition, Executive Director Christopher Wood. Listen as they introduce Chris to our membership and have a conversation to learn more about him and his journey to NCSEA.   Hear Chris talk about his experiences with associations, what sparked his interest with NCSEA and what made him apply.  Hear also about what he brings to the table, his vision and what he is excited to see happen.  As you listen to get introduced to Chris, be ready to introduce yourself to him at the 2023 Leadership Symposium in Anaheim, California.

Coming to you from Washington DC and Alaska, Tim Lightner (with CGI in Anchorage, Alaska) hosts a conversation with Tom Joseph (Vice President and Managing Partner for Paragon Government Relations in DC). Learn about Tom and his leadership journey, as well as how he got involved in the child support community and child support issues.  Hear what services Tom provides to NCSEA and the importance of this partnership.  Listen as Tom talks about legislative updates from Capitol Hill as they relate to child support, including the IRS/FTI notice that came out in February; the Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act (S.534); the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee hearing titled “Welfare is Broken – Restoring Work Requirements to Lift Americans Out of Poverty”; and the Federal debt ceiling and the federal budget. 

**Note:  This On Location episode was recorded on Wednesday, 5/17/23 and legislation and updates may change as Congress acts.

Today’s show comes to you on location from Missouri and Illinois.  Pat O’Donnell (YoungWilliams) welcomes Ellen Rutledge.  Ellen is the Director of Professional Development at YoungWilliams, an NCSEA Board member and a co-chair of this year’s NCSEA Leadership Symposium.  Today Ellen and Pat discuss the meeting heavy nature of our work and the world we live in.  We’ve all seen that joke about how our last meeting could have just as well been an email.  We all get frustrated with the content and the need for meetings, but it seems that over the past few years with the advent of much more remote work, meetings and their importance have only increased.  Ellen has made it her mission to improve the meetings she leads and today she shares some tips and advice on how we can make the most of this necessary part of our lives. 

On today's program, Pat O'Donnell (YoungWilliams) in Chicago, Illinois welcomes Leadership Symposium co-chairs Phyllis Nance (Director, Alameda County, CA DCSS) in Oakland, California, and Ellen Rutledge (Director of Professional Development, YoungWilliams) in Jefferson City, Missouri. They share their thoughts and insights on leadership, and talk about the hot topics planned for the plenaries and breakout sessions at the conference this year. And preview some surprises and opportunities for Leadership Symposium attendees.

Today’s podcast comes to you from Shoreline, Washington; Sacramento, California; and Charlottesville, Virginia.  Mariellen Keely (VA Division of Child Support) hosts a discussion about the Section 1115 grants for the Intergovernmental Case Processing Innovation project which was awarded by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).  She is joined by Alexis Ramirez (California Department of Child Support Services) and Tom Atkinson Washington Division of Child Support).  They discuss what drew them into this federal demonstration grant, what were there favorite things about the project, and what their state implemented based on what they learned.  They also talk about if they did their own evaluation, or involved a vendor as part of the project.  Bonus:  hear who is the father of a wonderful three-year old! 

Coming to you on location from Virginia and California, join Emily Jernigan (California Department of Child Support Services) as she hosts Barbara Lacina Director, Virginia Child Support Enforcement) and David Kilgore (Director, California Department of Child Support Services).   They have a conversation focused on the National Child Support Market Research Survey that was recently launched.   Hear some of the preliminary findings that were discussed at the February 2023 NCSEA Policy Forum in Washington DC, and some thoughts about how to turn the trends around as they explore how the child support program will look in the future.   Listen as they discuss barriers to delivering services, shifting from mandated referrals to “selling” the child support product, and what has to change with the program’s current philosophies. 

This episode comes to you on location from Maryland and Alaska.  Tim Lightner (CGI) hosts today’s program where we welcome someone directly involved in the shaping of the child support program as it exists today, and who can speak to the history and progression of the program.  That person is none other than Vernon Drew.  Listen as they have a conversation about how the child support program came about, including some milestones, and how they impacted and influenced the child support program.  Vernon addresses topics including mandatory building blocks, automation, program management, tangible benefits to a strong child support community, and the value of partnerships.  Hear Vernon also share about how he got his start in child support, and his own journey in the program. 

Coming to you from Michigan, Kansas, Ohio and Illinois, join co-hosts Pat O’Donnell (YoungWilliams) and Brandi Gallebo (Franklin County, OH Child Support) as they host Erin Frish (Michigan IV-D Director) and Monica Evans-Lombe (NCSEA Interim Executive Director). Hear from Erin and Monica as they share about themselves and their roles with NCSEA, and as they discuss the 2023 NCSEA awards nominations and scholarship applications. Learn what these are, what they include, who can submit and apply. Listen as they also discuss the approaching timelines and deadlines, and what to remember to include with your award nomination or scholarship application. Don’t Be Shy. Apply!

Coming to you from Ohio, Colorado and Alaska, On Location is hosted  today by Tim Lightner (CGI) and Michael Hayes (the Federal Office of  Child Support Enforcement).  They welcome three peer educators from the  Ohio No Kidding program:  Jazmin, Kyle and Chevy.  They talk about what is the No Kidding program, and the federal demonstration project that it is  a part of.  Jazmin, Kyle and Chevy talk about key elements of responsible parenting, and what got them interested  in the No Kidding program.  They also have a conversation about their own experiences as young parents, and what they hope that every teen  would learn from their presentations.  Hear also, what they want for child support professionals to know about young parents that may need help with establishing paternity and child  support.

On today's show, Tim Lightner is joined by co-hosts Brandi Gallebo, Diane Potts and Jim Fleming.  Together they have a conversation with NCSEA's Executive Director, Ann Marie Ruskin on the eve of her retirement after her outstanding service to NCSEA.  She reflects on how she came to NCSEA in the beginning.  She shares with us her reflections on the organization and the people she's worked with over the many years.  Her service is certainly appreciated, and she will certainly by missed.

Today’s program comes to you from five states:  North Carolina, New  York, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Ohio. Mariellen Keely (Virginia Child  Support) and Brandi Gallebo (Ohio Child Support) co-host this week's  episode  of On Location.  They have the pleasure of meeting three of the Project  Directors for the new SAVES grant.  This federal demonstration grant  was awarded in September 2022 to child support programs in 12 states and  one tribe to support domestic violence survivors  who need child support services but are unable to access them.  Taylor  Ashe (Virginia Child Support), Susanne Dolin (New York Child Support)  and Jogeina Tharp (Oklahoma Child Support) share their hopes and  concerns for their exciting five-year projects.

Today’s episode of On Location comes to you from California, Illinois, and Texas. Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams hosts a discussion with Corri Flores, Director–Government Affairs Wage Garnishments Compliance & Shared Services with ADP and Charles Smith, President and CEO of Charles R. Smith Consulting, LLC. Corri and Charles are the Co-Chairs of the NCSEA Membership Committee for the 2022-2023 program year. Join us for a lively and informative discussion highlighting all the benefits NCSEA offers to its members and potential members. Learn how NCSEA membership can make a difference for you and your organization and can enhance your career as a child support professional. Listen to learn more!

On Location is pleased to bring you the final “spotlight” podcast of 2022.  We come to you today from Massachusetts, Ohio, and Illinois.  In this podcast, Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams  and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency co-host a conversation spotlighting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue Child Support Team, the NCSEA 2022 Program Awareness Awardee.  Michelle Cristello, Deputy Commissioner and IV-D Director, and Chris Breen, Business Operations Manager are our guests today.  Michelle and Chris discuss the Virtual Customer Service Counter project and its positive impact for program participants, Massachusetts child support team members and other  partner organizations.  Seamlessly delivering virtual child support services is now the “new normal” for the Massachusetts child support team.  Listen to learn more!

Each year, On Location features “spotlight”  interviews with individuals or program teams who have made significant  contributions to the child support program.  We come to you today from  California, Ohio, and Illinois.  In this podcast, Pat O’Donnell of  YoungWilliams and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support  Enforcement Agency co-host a conversation spotlighting the Contra Costa  County, California Department of Child Support Services  partnership, and collaboration with the East Bay Rubicon Mission  initiative.  Rick Alcantar and Lori Cruz, representing the Contra Costa  County, California Department of Child Support Services are our guests  today.  Rick and Lori discuss how this partnership  promotes the economic and social well-being of children, families, and  communities to break the cycle of generational poverty.  Partnering with  community organizations is a powerful way to extend the reach and  impact of child support programs while providing  real benefits to families.  Listen to learn more!

Today’s episode comes to you from  California, New York, and Tennessee.  Veronica Riley (Assistant  Director, San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services) hosts  former Federal  Office of Child Support Enforcement Commissioners, Margot Bean  (Managing Director for Deloitte Consulting) and Scott Lekan (Director of  Business Development for GreenCourt Legal Technologies LLC).  Listen as  they give a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s  like to become the Commissioner, and the inter-workings of OCSE.  Hear  an engaging conversation as they talk about everything you wanted to  know about the former child support commissioners but were too afraid to  ask!

Each year, On Location features “spotlight”  interviews with individuals or program teams who have made significant  contributions to the child support program.  We come to you today from  California, Ohio, and Illinois.  In this podcast, Pat O’Donnell of  YoungWilliams and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support  Enforcement Agency co-host a conversation with the NCSEA 2022 Emerging  Leader, Alexis Ramirez.  Everyone embarks on a varied  path to reach their current role and Alexis is no exception.  The  experiences and knowledge that he has gained in his career to date have  enabled him to implement workflow automation tools, making the child  support program more approachable for program participants  as well as improve information used by the child support program team.   He believes that every opinion has value and should be heard and  understands sometimes the leader must “break the tie”.  Listen to learn  more!

On Location comes to you today from Anchorage, Alaska and Juneau, Alaska by way of Bend, Oregon.  Tim Lightner (Alaska CSSD) hosts Janae Franklet, Tribal Child Support Manager for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (CCTHITA).  Listen as Janae shares how she started her career with child support, and as she talks about the Tlingit-Haida Tribal program in Alaska:  who it serves, its successes, growth, and goals for the future.  Janae also discusses CCTHITA’s participation with NCSEA, and her involvement with volunteering on the NCSEA Communications Committee this year.

Each year, On Location features “spotlight”  interviews with individuals or program teams who have made significant  contributions to the child support program.  We come to you today from  Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois.  In this podcast, Pat O’Donnell of  YoungWilliams and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support  Enforcement Agency, co-host a conversation with the NCSEA 2022  Outstanding Leader awardee, Maria Lasecki.  Maria shares her  career journey which we’re sure you’ll find to be most interesting, as  well as her thoughts on servant leadership, and how the peer mentoring  program has provided significant benefits to child support program  participants.  This podcast will motivate and inspire.

Coming to you from Massachusetts, Ohio and  Illinois, Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams and Ann Durkin, Program  Administrator, Stark County Job & Family Services – Child Support  co-host the  latest On Location podcast dedicated to professional development.   Mentoring is often discussed as an important component in a person’s  career journey.  Today, two renowned experts in mentoring share their  perspectives on mentoring, why it is so critical,  what works/doesn’t and share examples of how mentoring truly does have  the power to change lives.  We are joined by Frank Boegemann, Training  Manager of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue and  Valarie Nash, Deputy Executive Director, Human  Resources & Support Services for Summit County (Ohio) Children’s  Services. No matter where you are in your career, mentoring makes a real  difference … listen to learn more.

Today’s episode comes to you on location  from California and Illinois.  Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams is your  host for this important conversation about how Parenting Time Agreements  impact the child support program.  Our guest is Robert Harris,  Supervising Child Support Program Attorney IV for the County of San  Diego Department of Child Support Services.  Robert has firsthand  experience with the use of parenting time agreements and the  positive impacts they can have on families participating in the child  support program.

Coming to you from Colorado and Illinois,  Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams hosts the next in the On Location series  dedicated to professional development.  The focus of today’s  conversation  is the Tyranny of Urgency – if everything is “top priority”, how can  anything be “top priority”.  Sharing their expertise and experiences  with us are Maureen Leif, President of Grays Peak Strategies and Liz  Bullard, Senior Consultant, also of Grays Peak Strategies.   If you are looking for strategies and tools to help prioritize your  work life activities and your personal life activities, this podcast is  for you.  Maureen and Liz share best practices, first-hand experience,  and resources in balancing all communications/must  do’s competing for our time – how to tame the Tyranny of Urgency.

Resources:   

Tony Schwarz and Catherine McCarthy, Harvard Business Review -- "Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time"

Tony Schwartz -- The Way We're Working Isn't Working

On Location comes to you today from Virginia, Illinois, and Ohio. Pat O’Donnell (YoungWilliams) and Ann Durkin (Job and Family Services in the Stark County, Ohio Child Support Program) co-host today’s program. They welcome Verrhonda Bullock (Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement). Verrhonda is the Howard G. Baldwin Memorial Scholarship awardee for the 2022 NCSEA Leadership Symposium. Listen as Verrhonda shares about her career journey and the roles that she has held in the child support program and discusses the Information Exchange Planning Team in her state. Verrhonda also talks about how she will leverage the knowledge she gained while attending the 2022 NCSEA Leadership Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On Location comes to you today from California, North Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio. Pat O’Donnell (YoungWilliams) and Ann Durkin (Job and Family Services in the Stark County, Ohio Child Support Program) co-host today’s program. They welcome Dori McCarty (Kings County Child Support in Hartford, California) and Bryan Suter (Catawba County DCSS, in Newton, North Carolina). Dori is the New Leader Scholarship awardee; and Brian was awarded with the Judge Ross Scholarship for the 2022 NCSEA Leadership Symposium. Listen as they share about themselves, share their insights from the 2022 Leadership Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina and how they will use what they have learned in their respective programs and teams.

Today’s episode comes to you on location  from California and North Carolina.  Veronica Riley (Assistant Director,  San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services) and Tammy  Pearson  (YoungWilliams) co-host Melissa Radcliff, the Program Director for Our  Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons in Durham, North Carolina.  They  discuss how communities can support children who have an incarcerated or  returning from incarceration parent.  They  engage in a discussion about what it means for the child and their  parent who’s been incarcerated and who’s now coming home.  They talk  about barriers to re-entry, re-establishing relationships, what the  concerns are about child support, and what child support professionals should know about incarcerated parents and children of  incarcerated parents.

Coming to you from California and Illinois, Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams hosts the first in an On Location series dedicated to Professional Development.  The guests for this podcast are Laura Van Buskirk, Director, Placer County, California Department of Child Support Services and Kathie Bohacek, Child Support Program Manager/Outreach Coordinator for San Joaquin County, California Department of Child Support. This podcast is dedicated to the Power of Empathy.  Laura and Kathie talk about the use of empathy as a tool in our professional interactions as we all strive to be the best we can be.  For more information on the Power of Empathy, watch the NCSEA Web Talk, “Empathize with Purpose” (February 2022).   NCSEA members can access the web talk by logging in to their NCSEA account and visit the NCSEA Web Talk Library.

Coming to you from Nebraska, North Dakota  and Alaska, Tim Lightner (Alaska CSSD) hosts NCSEA’s outgoing President,  Lori Bengston (YoungWilliams) and incoming President, Jim Fleming (IV-D  Director of North Dakota’s Child Support program).  They have a  conversation about their roles in the child support program, and their  years of service with NCSEA.  Lori talks about her challenges,  achievements, and successes, as well as her greatest rewards  in serving as NCSEA’s President this year.  Jim discusses his theme of  engagement, some of the areas of focus for this coming year and what he  hopes to accomplish.  They talk about the changing of NCSEA’s name to  the National Child Support Engagement Association:   what it means and why it is important.  Listen as they share their  visions and perspectives and reflect on the work that NCSEA does.

Coming to you from on location in Georgia  and Alaska, Tim Lightner (Alaska CSSD) hosts John Hurst, the Assistant  Deputy Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Human Services,  Division  of Child Support Services.  John talks about his role in the child  support program, how he got his start, and his progress up the  leadership ladder.  John shares some of the things he is most proud of  in the Georgia program, where it’s heading and where it’s  growing.  Some of you may have heard John during one of this year’s  Leadership Symposium’s plenaries – Level Up Leadership:  Transforming  Your Leadership Path in Child Support.”  Now listen as he shares more of  the story.

Coming to you from on location in Austin, Texas and Wichita, Kansas,  Latoyia Southall (Supervisor on the Texas Data Management Services  project for MAXIMUS) hosts two caseworkers with the Department of  Children  and Family Services project for MAXIMUS:   Jennifer Stinnett (Case  Management Counselor) and Chandra Lewis (Child Support Counselor).  They  talk about setting up cases, establishing child support orders, and the  judicial process in Sedgwick County.  They discuss  intergovernmental cases and the challenges that they present.  Listen  as they share about their roles and duties in the child support program,  and a have a conversation about a day in the life of a child support  caseworker.