NCSEA On Location

On this week's episode, host Mariellen Keely sits down with The Honorable Angela Arkin and Tracy Rumans, Esq., to discuss a new development in Colorado family law- the Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (LLP) program. Angela and Tracy share insights and expand upon their recent article in the Child Support CommuniQue, discussing how LLPs are addressing the justice gap for low and moderate-income families. Listen in as we explore the creation of the program, its impact on family law cases, and the potential to expand equitable access to legal services in Colorado.

Today's episode was recorded on location in Washington DC in February of 2018 at the NCSEA Policy Forum.  Joe Mamlin and Lori Rumage-Cain host, and bring back to share that very first On Location program — a conversation with Alisha Griffin (independent Human Services consultant, and former Directors of the child support program in California and New Jersey); and Robert Doar (who was a Morgridge Fellow in Poverty Studies at the American Enterprise Institute; and is the former Commissioner of New York City’s Human Resources Administration and the former child support Director for the State of New York).  Listen up as we take a look back in history — the first episode revisited.

Sovereign Citizen Ideology – do you want to learn more?  If so, listen to this week’s informative conversation hosted by Emily Jernigan of the California Department of Child Support Services and Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams.  Their guests include Christina Eigel, Project Manager, El Paso County, Colorado, Young Williams, Nick Palos, Support Magistrate, Kings County Family Court in New York and Jeffrey Schroer, Chief Attorney, Kern County, CA, Department of Child Support Services.   They share their knowledge and experience ensuring all child support program participants are treated fairly and equitably under the laws and regulations which govern the child support program.  It is a discussion you will not want to miss!

On this week’s On Location episode, Mariellen Keely of Virginia Child Support and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (Ohio) host a conversation with Valerie L from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families and Jonathan A. from Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (Ohio).  This is the latest installment of updates on the Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) Grant Projects.   Listen as Valerie and Jonathan describe their projects, how they define success and the latest books they are reading.

Today’s episode comes to you from Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and Alaska. Join Tim Lightner (eWorld Enterprise Solutions, based in Anchorage, Alaska) and Lisa Westfall (Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency in Columbus, Ohio). They are pleased to be joined by two of NCSEA’s Presidents:  Erin Frisch (NCSEA’s recent former President, and IV-D Director for the Michigan Office of Child Support), and Charles Smith (NCSEA’s newest President, and Vice President of Business Development at GreenCourt Legal Technologies). Listen as each talk about being thoughtful stewards of NCSEA, their own contributions, and reflections on where they are heading. From building community to holistic change, listen in for an engaging conversation.

This week, NCSEA on Location features a discussion with Erica Thornton, Policy and Paternity Unit Manager, Division of Child Support Services, Georgia Department of Human Services. Hosted by Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams in Illinois and Brandi Gallebo, Frankin County Child Support Enforcement Services in Ohio, the conversation focuses on the collaboration between the Georgia Division of Child Support Services and the State Office of Vital Records to establish paternity at the time of birth.  Listen as Erica describes how the program operates and the benefits each of the program’s stakeholders have realized.

On this week’s On Location episode, Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams (Illinois) and Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (Ohio) host a conversation with Kristen Mindus and Taryn Aguon from the Placer County Department of Child Support Services located in the greater Sacramento, California area.  Join the discussion about these NCSEA 2024 Howard G. Baldwin and New Leader Scholarship Awardees.  Listen as Kristen and Taryn describe their career journeys, their goals, priorities and most importantly, their favorite foods.   As a bonus, you will also hear a couple of person-on-the-street interviews, recorded at the 2024 NCSEA Leadership Symposium in Detroit, Michigan.

Today's episode comes to you from New Mexico, Illinois, and Ohio.  Please join us as Betina Gonzales McCracken, Child Support Services Division Director for the State of New Mexico, the NCSEA 2024 Program Awareness awardee, discusses her initiative to use public service announcements to educate and promote the child support program to current and future program participants. Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams (Illinois) and Brandi Gallebo of Frankin County Child Support Enforcement Services (Ohio) host this lively and interesting conversation.  Please continue to listen as the three public service announcements Betina and her team created illustrate why this program awareness campaign has been so effective.

Today's episode comes to you on location from Idaho, Massachusetts, Georgia and Indiana.  Join Patti Garofalo (Child Support Practice Director with NTT Data) as she hosts a conversation about modernization planning and the art of the possible.  Her guests today include Sarah Hurst (Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Georgia Child Support Services), Michele Cristello (Deputy Commissioner of the Child Support Services Division within the Massachusetts Department of Revenue), and Dawn McNeal (Business Consulting Senior Manager, NTT Data).  Listen as they talk about the modernization journey, inclusion for the process, feasibility studies and readiness activities.  They also discuss the importance of training and preparation, allocation of staff, data management and more.  Don't miss out on the favorite quotes they offer for the system modernization endeavor.

Coming to you from Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia, Mariellen Keely (Virginia Child Support) hosts Dr. Shaneen Moore (Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Child Support Division within the Children and Family Services (CFS) administration of the Minnesota Department of Human Services) and Erin Frisch (current NCSEA President, and Title IV-D Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services).  They have a conversation about their workshop from the 2024 ERICSA Training Conference and Expo.  They share Minnesota’s Section 1115 grant from OCSS, to examine child support policies and services to assess disproportional access to child support services, determine if orders reflect a true ability to pay, and to improve child support services to families.

Today’s episode comes to you on location from various places in California, New York, Tennessee, Washington DC, and Anchorage, Alaska.  On today’s show, Veronica Riley and Tim Lightner lead a conversation off past and current commissioners from the Federal Office of Child Support Services.  They share their perspectives and their reflections of NCSEA over the years.  Our guests include Dr. Sherri Heller, Margot Bean, Vicki Turetsky, Scott Lekan, and Tanguler Gray.  Truly a unique experience to have all these people in one place!

On Location returns to celebrate 50 years of the National Child Support Engagement Association and comes to you from across North America:  New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, and British Columbia, Canada. On today’s show, Pat O’Donnell and Veronica Riley continue their conversation with Margot Bean, Scott Cade, Erin Frisch, Steven Golightly, Alisha Griffin, Hannah Roots, Lisa Skenandore, and Diane Potts. They talk about how NCSEA has impacted child support policy and reflect on NCSEA’s influence on the front-line staff level.  Their guests share what excites them about the future of NCSEA.  Stick around until the end and listen to a pop quiz with their guests on current events or the price of goods in 1974!

On Location continues to celebrate the 50 years of the National Child Support Engagement Association and comes to you from across North America:  New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, and British Columbia, Canada. On today’s show, Pat O’Donnell and Veronica Riley lead a conversation with Margot Bean, Scott Cade, Erin Frisch, Steven Golightly, Alisha Griffin, Hannah Roots, Lisa Skenandore, and Diane Potts. They talk about NCSEA’s impact on them personally, including on their own child support careers. They also talk about the impact on the greater child support community, including internationally. Stay tuned for next week, as the conversation continues with Part 2 about the influence that NCSEA has had over its fifty years in existence.

Today’s episode returns to you from Anchorage, Alaska and Brooklyn, New York along with voices from around the country.  On today’s show, Nick Palos and Tim Lightner lead the rest of a conversation with a group of NCSEA past Presidents, Executive Directors, and other NCSEA leaders including Vernon Drew, Colleen Eubanks, Ann Marie Ruskin, Chris Wood, Lori Bengston, Jim Fleming, Charles Smith, and Joe Mamlin. The group continues their discussion about the history of NCSEA.  They talk about other tumultuous times, including the COVID19 pandemic, and how NCSEA responded.  Their discussion covers notable achievements, program offerings, how we got to the current name for NCSEA, and legislative proposals.  Listen also to perspectives on how we evolved over the years, and where we are headed, to be the voice of the child support community.    Don’t forget to listen next week, when the 50th anniversary podcast series returns, to talk about the impact of the National Child Support Engagement Association.

Today’s episode comes to you from Anchorage, Alaska and Brooklyn, New York along with voices from around the country. On today’s show, Tim Lightner and Nick Palos lead a conversation with a group of NCSEA past Presidents , Executive Directors, and other NCSEA leaders including Vernon Drew, Colleen Eubanks, Ann Marie Ruskin, Chris Wood, Lori Bengston, Jim Fleming, Charles Smith, and Joe Mamlin. The group talks a bit about the history of the organization as well as that of the child support program itself, from the beginning through to 2017. We talk about how we came out of our reorganization, our critical role in interstate, and the international child support program itself.

Today’s program comes to you from Virginia and California.  Join Emily Jernigan (Regional Administrator for the California Department of Child Support Services) and Mariellen Keely (Grants and Initiatives Consultant Senior, Virginia Child Support) as they host today’s episode.  They welcome David Kilgore (Director), Justin Freitas (Deputy Director), Catherine Manzano (Chief Information Officer) and Sidney Burt (Strategic Communication Manager) – all with the California Department of Child Support Services.  Get to know them:  their history and what got them started in the child support program.  They talk today about California’s former assistance arrears pass-through in their state:  what it is, the recent change, why the shift, and who it impacts.  They also discuss policy perspectives, messaging campaigns, and how it was implemented – including some advice for other states. 

Tim Lightner (co-chair of this year’s NCSEA Communication’s Committee, and coming to you from Anchorage, Alaska) and Mariellen Keely (Virginia Child Support, and from Crozet, Virginia) welcome a conversation about domestic violence, and what functionality a child support system should include as many states are going through system modernization.  They welcome their guests, Jonell Sullivan (Management Consultant with Public Knowledge) as she makes her On Location debut, along with Michael Hayes (Federal Office of Child Support Services) as he returns to the On Location studio.    The discussion centers around what is needed, and important to protect domestic violence survivors, and what can help and what can harm within a child support program’s system.  They offer up suggestions that are worth taking note.  Listen also as Jonell and Michael share their history in the program, and how they ended up in child support. 

Today’s podcast is hosted by Pat O’Donnell (of YoungWilliams and coming to you from Illinois).  She is joined by Matt Brega (Assistant Director and Supervising Attorney, Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services), Lori Cruz (Director, Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services), Corri Flores (Director –Government Affairs Wage Garnishments Compliance & Shared Services at ADP), and Robyn Large (of the Federal Office of Child Support Services; based in South Carolina).  They have an engaging conversation focusing on the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN):  the benefits, frustrations, challenges and obstacles.  Listen as they touch on the history and processes, and why awareness and education is the key for understanding to assist the families in the child support program with the medical support they deserve.

Today’s program comes to you from Crozet, Virginia and Kansas City, Missouri, where Mariellen Keely (VA Child Support) welcomes back to the podcast, a familiar and esteemed guest, Barbara Lacina (Regional Administrator for Region 7 of the Administration for Children and Families).   Mariellen hosts an engaging conversation, as Barbara catches us up on her new role, after serving 32 years as a child support professional.  Listen as Barbara describes her journey and roles, and how she got started in the child support program.    Get to know more about the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), what is under their umbrella, and what locations Region 7 covers.  Find out what book is on Barbara’s nightstand table that she has recently finished reading, which you can add to your list.    

This week’s episode of On Location comes to you from Michigan and Virginia. Join Mariellen Keely (Grants & Initiatives Consultant Senior, Division of Child Support, Virginia Department of Social Services) as she hosts today's program. Mariellen welcomes April Williams (Navigation Program Manager of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services/Child Support pilot program – Navigation Program Services) and Julie Vandenboom (Michigan Office of Child Support, Program Re-engineering Specialist, who talk about their article in the January issue of the Federal Office of Child Support Services’ (OCSS) Child Support Report.  Hear about how they each got involved in the child support program and roles they have held. Learn what they are doing now with the new Michigan Navigator Program, and what it entails.

This week’s episode of On Location is coming to you from across the country:  Louisiana, Michigan, California, and Alaska. Join co-hosts Tim Lightner (co-chair of this year’s NCSEA Communications Committee, and coming to you from Anchorage, Alaska) and Emily Jernigan (Regional Administrator, Southern Region for the California Department of Child Support Services). Together they host Konitra Jack (Director, Louisiana Child Support Enforcement Services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and Sharon Pizzuti (Vice President, Courtland Consulting in East Lansing, Michigan). They have a conversation about an amazing event coming up in August:  the 2024 NCSEA Leadership Symposium in Detroit, Michigan. Learn about the “heart and soul” of this year’s symposium, what’s in store, and how to get registered. Find out about a community service project for attendees, and a celebration of NCSEA’s 50th birthday. Discover what to see and do in the host city, and where to find some of the best and unique places to eat. https://www.ncsealeadershipsymposium.org/

Today’s program comes to you from Michigan, Iowa, California, and Alaska.  Tim Lightner (co-chair of this year’s NCSEA Communications Committee -- and coming to you from Anchorage, Alaska) and DeAnna Rice (Administrative Assistant to Director David Kilgore of the California Department of Child Support Services) team up to co-host today’s podcast.  They welcome two new guests, Kelly Micka (Director, with Alvarez & Marsal), and Paul Gehm (of the Michigan State Courts).   Join them as they talk about NCSEA Policy and Government Relations’ subcommittee, Emerging Issues and Leading Practices, and learn about the benefits that the NCSEA membership has from this committee.   Get to know Kelly and Paul as they talk about their involvement with the child support program, how they got started, where their journey has taken them, and their own contributions to NCSEA.

Today’s podcast comes to you from California and Ohio.  Join Emily Jernigan (Regional Administrator, Southern Region for the California Department of Child Support Services) and Brandi Gallebo (Manager with the Franklin County, Ohio Child Support Enforcement Agency) as they co-host today.  They welcome Laura Van Buskirk (Director, Placer County, California Department of Child Support Services) and Kim Newsom Bridges (Sr. Director, Child Support Solutions, Conduent; based in Ohio).  Laura and Kim talk about their journeys and their career paths.  They have a conversation about leadership, why it’s important to lead, and how to develop your leadership skills.  Listen as they share their leadership philosophies and perspectives.

How can you constructively navigate sometimes difficult conversations?  Coming to you from Illinois and California, join Emily Jernigan of California Department of Child Support Services and Pat O’Donnell of YoungWilliams as they discuss the importance of Crucial Conversations with Jasper Jacobs, Training Facilitator from the California Department of Child Support Services – Training and Development Unit.  As we continue our personal and professional development journeys, the tools and techniques described will help us “Master Our Dialogue”.  Listen to learn more …

Today’s program comes to you from Chicago, Illinois; Heidelberg, Germany; Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; and Rancho Cordova, CA.  Join Pat O’Donnell (YoungWilliams) as she hosts Thomas Meysen (SOCLES International Centre for Socio-Legal Studies), Hannah Roots (Hannah Roots Law) and Kristen Erickson Donadee (Chief Deputy Director, CA Child Department of Child Support Services).  They have a robust discussion of international child support, including payments, OCSS forms system for Convention cases, obstacles, issues and how to succeed.  They also engage in talking about lessons learned, and where to find resources.

Today’s episode comes to you from Washington DC and Alaska, where Tim Lightner (from Anchorage, Alaska) hosts Raghavan Varadachari from the Federal Office of Child Support Services (better known as OCSS). He is joining us to have a conversation about the future of child support systems – a topic of interest to many in the child support community -- and give a little more understanding, including a perspective from the Federal Office.  Listen to the conversation as they talk about where the child support systems started, where it has progressed, and where it is likely headed.

Today’s episode comes to you on location from Georgia, Ohio and Colorado.   Lisa Westfall (Enforcement Supervisor with Franklin County, Ohio Child Support Enforcement Agency) welcomes Maureen Leif (President of Grays Peak Strategies in Colorado), and John Hurst (Marietta, Georgia).  They have a conversation about the upcoming NCSEA-U offering, how it can help you understand the child support program a little deeper, increase your networking experience and build your confidence.  They also talk about the application process, what the committee looks for in choosing applicants, and how you can help your application to stand out.  Learn who should apply, and when to apply!

Today’s program comes to you from Franklin County, Coumbus, Ohio. Join Brandi Gallebo of Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency, as she hosts a conversation with Susan Brown (Director of Franklin County CSEA). Learn about Susan’s history and background in the child support program spanning over the past twenty-seven years. Listen as she shares her thoughts with the NCSEA community in transitioning from “enforcement” to “engagement.”  Brandi and Susan talk about the grants that Franklin County has received along with resources, to analyze and dig deeper into the impact that policies and practices have on their residents. Get to know Susan, as she also shares her hobbies and interests outside of the child support office.

On this episode of On Location, host Veronica Riley (Veronica Riley Training & Consulting) talks with Dr. Marcella Wilson. Dr. Wilson is an expert on poverty and the possibilities that exist to eradicate it. She is the founder of the organization Transition to Success, which designed and implemented an evidenced based system of care for understanding and treating the condition of poverty. She is the author of the book "Diagnosis Poverty". Her work has been showcased by the CBS Evening News, The New York Times, and recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative. Don't miss this enlightening and important discussion. 

Today we come to you from too many locations to count (well, actually 15 different locations across the U.S.)!  On our program today, we are celebrating NCSEA’s premier podcast -- On Location.  Listen and hear the top ten listened to On Location episodes for 2023.  See how many you have heard, and which ones you might want to catch up with.  And for those that have heard all the top ten, we thank you for diligently listening, and get ready for a fresh program episode next week!

Welcome to a special edition of NCSEA On Location--coming to you from across the U.S. Today, many of our NCSEA Board visit to share their favorite holiday memories, as well as their hope for the child support program. Settle in, and listen all the way through to hear them all.