Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo
Transcription
Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo
2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo April 13–16, 2015 Burlingame, California CHILD SUPPORT DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA What’s Inside Message from the President................................................. 3 About the Conference........................................................... 4 Conference Agenda at a Glance............................................ 5 Keynote Speakers................................................................. 6 Track and Workshop Descriptions...................................... 10 Plenary Sessions.......................................................................10 The Law & Casework................................................................10 Leadership.. ................................................................................12 Program and Fiscal Management. ........................................14 Program Improvement. ...........................................................16 Partnerships for Families........................................................18 The Inside Scoop......................................................................20 Registration Information.................................................... 22 Hotel and Travel Information. . ............................................ 23 Charity................................................................................. 24 2 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo Message from the president Dear Colleagues, s president of the California Child Support Directors Association (CSDA), it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo in Burlingame, California. Please join us for the 9th annual training conference April 13-16, 2015. CSDA is celebrating 15 years of operation as a non-profit association supporting local child support agencies in California’s 58 counties. On behalf of the CSDA Board of Directors and 2015 Conference Planning Committee, I am pleased to announce that our distinguished plenary keynote speakers on the status of child support at the federal and state levels will include Commissioner Vicki Turetsky and Michael Hayes of the Office of Child Support Enforcement and Alisha Griffin, Director of the California Department of Child Support Services. We will also be entertained and motivated by professional keynote speaker Sarita Maybin. The 2015 conference program includes topical tracks on Law and Casework, Leadership, Program and Fiscal Management, Program Improvement, Partnerships for Families and the Inside Scoop. Speakers will include members of the California child support community, private contractors, and professional trainers covering the many exciting topics. Please join attendees from across child support programs in California, other states, and tribal nations for an exciting and informative training conference experience! This will be an excellent opportunity for you to network and socialize with others in the child support program and bring back new information and tools to your agency. Our banquet and awards ceremony will provide an opportunity to celebrate the agencies and individuals that make our California child support program thrive. I look forward to experiencing another successful and informative conference with you in April. Jamie Murray President, California Child Support Directors Association Director, Santa Cruz/San Benito County Regional Department of Child Support Services www.csdaca.org 3 about the conference Who Should Attend About CSDA The annual conference is designed to afford child support professionals from local, state and federal government agencies and tribes, with a meaningful and relevant training experience. California and national staff, including directors, child support caseworkers, attorneys, supervisors, managers, trainers, clerical, customer service, outreach, IT, financial and administrative staff will gain useful information and resources. The Child Support Directors Association of California (CSDA) was established as a non-profit association to represent the local child support directors of California’s 58 counties. The Association strives to be of service to local child support agencies (LCSAs) in their effort to provide children and families with the financial, medical, and emotional support required to be productive and healthy citizens in our society. If you have questions about our conference, please contact the conference chair, Debbie Frahm, Director, Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (805) 437-8100, debbie.frahm@ventura.org or cochair, Jamie Murray, Director, Santa Cruz/San Benito County Regional Department of Child Support Services (831) 454-3632, jamie.murray@santacruzcounty.us 4 CSDA Mission CSDA enhances and promotes California’s local child support programs through education, collaboration & sharing resources. 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo conference agenda at a glance Monday, April 13, 2015 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Managing Attorney Forum 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm Conference Registration 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Welcome Reception Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Conference Registration 7:30 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast 8:30 am – 10:00 am Opening Plenary Session 10:00 am – 10:30 am Refreshment Networking Break 10:30 am – Noon Concurrent Workshop Sessions Noon – 1:30 pm Luncheon 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Concurrent Workshop Sessions 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Refreshment Networking Break 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Concurrent Workshop Sessions Wednesday, April 15, 2015 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Conference Registration 7:30 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast 8:30 am – 10:00 am General Plenary Session 10:00 am – 10:30 am Refreshment Networking Break 10:30 am – Noon Concurrent Workshop Sessions Noon – 1:30 pm Luncheon 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Concurrent Workshop Sessions 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Refreshment Networking Break 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Concurrent Workshop Sessions 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Pre-Banquet Reception 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm Awards Banquet/Dance Thursday, April 16, 2015 7:30 am – Noon Conference Registration 7:30 am – 8:30 am Full Plated Breakfast 8:30 am – 10:00 am Concurrent Workshop Sessions 10:00 am – 10:30 am Refreshment Networking Break 10:30 am – Noon Closing Plenary Session www.csdaca.org 5 keynote speakers Alisha Griffin Alisha Griffin is the Director of the California Department of Child Support Services. She has been with the child support program for more than seventeen years and came to child support with many years in public and private family services, including child welfare, child protection, rehabilitation and therapeutic service systems. From that background, Ms. Griffin brings a broad, substantial and successful track record to her work in child support. She most recently assumed leadership of the California Child Support program after leading New Jersey for a number of years. While in New Jersey she successfully led the design, procurement, implementation and management of the first “second generation” national model child support automated system, including substantial pre and post change management strategies. It is considered one of the most successful reengineering of a completely new system in a HHS domain. Additional focus on practice improvements and ensuring efficient and effective service delivery resulted in a comprehensive streamlining of all collections and disbursement systems and overarching fiscal management coordinated with revamping customer service through creating a centralized comprehensive “one stop” quality driven service model, with comprehensive performance metrics. She also has a strong portfolio of experience in direct service programming, policy analysis and development and advocacy focused on quality service delivery to children and families. Ms. Griffin has chaired, participated and worked on many national workgroups, designed several model programs both in the child support and child welfare arenas. She has served as Past President of the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) and the National Council of Child Support Directors (NCCSD). She currently serves on NCSEA’s International and Policy and Government Relations committees, chaired by the Strategic Alliance Committee. She serves on the Executive Council of NCCSD and the chair of the subcommittee on Medical Support which is addressing issues related to child support with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She represented NCSEA for all five years as a member of the delegation to the Hague Private Law Convention on Child Maintenance and Family Support and served as an observer/ program advisor to NCCSUL on the revisions to UIFSA to incorporate the new convention into US laws. Because of her expertise she was invited to testify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Hague Convention and its benefits to the US children and families. Ms. Griffin continues her dedication to families and community on several other levels. She has also served as President and Senior Advisor for the National Family Preservation Network (NFPN), providing leadership on grant acquisition, media relations and fatherhood services and helped NFPN acquire numerous grants to further the work of preserving and strengthening families. Ms. Griffin has a Masters in both Clinical and Community Psychology. She is both a teacher and practitioner of yoga, a weaver and working on becoming a master gardener. 6 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo keynote speakers Michael Hayes Michael Hayes works in the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement – Division of Program Innovation where his focus includes OCSE’s parenting time portfolio, family violence, program design and evaluation, and family centered child support innovations. Prior to his position at OCSE, Michael spent 12 years in the Texas Child Support Division where he was the Deputy Director for Family Initiatives. His work in Texas included the development and leadership of: statewide prevention education programming for teens, perinatal family support service interventions for unmarried couples, court/workforce/child support collaborations to help unemployed noncustodial parents find work and pay child support, enhanced child support and parenting legal resources for military/veteran families, co-parenting resources for couples in the child support system, and family violence collaborations and resources to help survivors of intimate partner violence access the child support system safely. Michael was the founder and director of the Texas Fragile Families Initiative, a state-wide initiative bringing together more than 30 private foundations, multiple state agencies and community/faith-based organizations in 12 sites across Texas to support fragile families. He worked previously as a Senior Trainer on the Ford Foundation’s Strengthen Fragile Families Initiative, as the Education Manager for Planned Parenthood of Austin, as a youth minister in the United Methodist Church, as a health education trainer for the Center for Health Training, and as a wilderness guide and adventure games instructor. www.csdaca.org 7 keynote speakers Sarita Maybin Sarita Maybin is an international speaker and communication expert whose audiences have fun learning how to stay positive, constructively confront tough communication situations and work together better. Her interactive presentations provide real-life solutions and inspire positive action! During her 20-year speaking career, Sarita has spoken at conferences, companies and campuses in 49 of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, Canada, England, Asia, and Iceland. Her clients include Hewlett Packard, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles County, Department of Navy and University of California, among others. Sarita was voted a Top 5 Communication Speaker and had the privilege of presenting on the prestigious TEDx stage. She is a former university Dean of Students with a Master’s degree in Counseling and has been interviewed by the media about her book entitled “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say?” Sarita was the closing keynote for last year’s CSDA conference and is back by popular demand to kick off our 2015 event! 8 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo keynote speakers Vicki Turetsky In 2009, Vicki Turetsky was appointed Commissioner for the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. As Commissioner, her priorities include implementing family-centered strategies to support parental employment and involvement, modernizing federal and state technology to increase program efficiency, expanding the tribal child support program, and preparing for generational change. Ms. Turetsky brings more than 30 years of experience as a public administrator and advocate for low-income families. She is a nationally recognized expert in family policy, and is instrumental in efforts to boost child support payments to families and establish realistic child support policies that encourage fathers to work and play an active parenting role. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Director of Family Policy at the Center for Law and Social Policy, and was a visiting lecturer at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. She also has held positions at the U.S. Corporation for National and Community Service, MDRC, Union County Legal Services in New Jersey, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. She has received a number of honors, including the 2014 Burton Award for Government Service, 2006 NCSEA “Champion of Children” Award, and the 2000 OCSE “Lifelong Achievement” Award. In 2013, she was named by Newsweek as one of “30 Leaders in the Fight for Black Men.” She also received one of first Minnesota “STEP” Awards in 1987 cited by Osborne and Gaebler, Reinventing Government. www.csdaca.org 9 track & Workshop descriptions plenary sessions PLENARY 1 “How to Stay Positive and Focused in Changing Times” Our conference will begin with local talent from San Mateo County Child Support Julia Nicole Hansen and Tristen Alexander Cagno performing the National Anthem. We will be treated to an encore keynote presentation by Sarita Maybin. In these changing times it’s important to know how to gain the cooperation of others and communicate in a way that gets your ideas heard. Is your glass half empty of half full? Learn how to respond to negative feedback without getting defensive and what to do when someone asks your opinion and you have nothing nice to say. This keynote presentation will provide exciting strategies for staying positive and communicating in the face of change. PLENARY 2 Future Challenges and Opportunities Curious about the future direction of the Child Support Program and how new state and federal child support initiatives may impact your daily work? Then do we have a plenary session for you! Joining us to discuss these and other important topics are Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement Commissioner Vicki Turetsky and California’s new State Department of Child Support Services Director Alisha Griffin. for states, and that states should use existing resources to pursue this goal. Hopefully you’re asking yourself, “What existing resources?” This plenary will lay out an incremental path to providing parenting time services that includes key partnerships, promising outreach strategies, and resource opportunities. The Law & Casework Almost every aspect of child support casework comes back to the law. Join us in exploring the myriad of legal issues that can determine, change or influence almost every aspect of casework. Workshops within this track will broaden and enhance your knowledge and perspective on important legal topics and help you navigate tools both lawyers and caseworkers use on a daily basis. Top legal professionals in the child support program will address a variety of subjects, including court processes, enforcement remedies, military issues, diversity, and ethics. This series of workshops will help every child support professional grow their confidence, knowledge and understanding of child support law while providing creative and innovative ideas for the future. (CSDA is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider. MCLE credit is available for most workshops in this track.) WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS To Contempt or Not to Contempt PLENARY 3 “It Takes a Village… To Provide Parenting Time Resources to Families in the Child Support Program” Michael Hayes with the Federal Office of Child Support Services will close our conference with the timely discussion on parenting time. Last fall Congress passed Public Law 113-185. This law includes a “Sense of Congress” that establishing parenting time arrangements when obtaining child support orders is an important goal 10 That is the question. Every case is different and no obligor is exactly the same. In this era of cost effectiveness, it’s time to set aside the ‘assembly line’ approach to enforcement. What is the ideal case for a civil contempt action? Which cases are just a drain of the precious resources of time and effort? This workshop will explore one LCSA’s experience and insights in choosing the right cases for contempt. Learn to use contempt with care and watch your collections grow. 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo track & Workshop descriptions Confidentiality and the Law Policy and Regulations Handling child support information with confidence is the focus of this workshop. Vast amounts of private, personal information come to us from seemingly every source: CSE, FTB, DMV and even the parties themselves, just to name a few. Handled properly, this information helps us serve families. Mishandled? It can have devastating effects. What information is confidential and when can it be released and to whom? Learn about the “release assessment tool” and how to analyze requests for information from participants, third parties, and other agencies. Join us in taking a close look at confidentiality in the California Child Support program. We may be familiar with case law and statutes, but we are also subject to the California Code of Regulations and DCSS policy letters, as well as numerous other policies and procedures governing each local agency. Interpreting and applying them can be a challenge. This workshop will help to familiarize you with these aspects of the law and how they shape and guide what we do. Explore the inter-relationships between the “operations” side of the program and the “legal” side and how both come together in the IV-D world. The Self Employed Parent – Part I: Analyzing Income Information A confusing heap of financial and tax documents. Where to begin? There is no easy way around it. You have to jump in and start digging. In this workshop, you will learn where to begin and how to analyze tax documents, profit and loss statements and other proof of self-employment income. Clear away the confusion and fog and know what to look for to handle any selfemployment case with confidence. (No prerequisite required) The Self Employed Parent – Part II: Digging Deeper Whether or not you attended Part I, this workshop will help you put the focus on getting the clearest picture possible of non-wage income. The presenters will walk you through actual case examples, showing you how to analyze all kinds of tax forms and schedules and other documents. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, investments, and real estate all raise big questions for child support. With the law as your ultimate guide, you will learn how to start asking the right questions to get the right answer. (No prerequisite required) Ethics Attorneys and case workers face ethical questions on a daily basis. Common sense can go a long way towards solving the obvious problems, but many issues go unrecognized until it’s too late. The Rules of Professional Conduct and case law are your first guide. This workshop will explore modern ethical problems in the child support program and help you recognize and avoid the pitfalls before it’s too late. Elimination of Bias The legal profession has come a long way from its roots as a male dominated profession. However, we still have a long way to go in ending racial, gender, and sexual orientation bias. Attorneys and caseworkers must first be able to recognize even the most subtle forms of bias, to work toward ending it by promoting diversity in everything we do. This workshop will help you spot examples of bias and brainstorm ways to combat and end it. www.csdaca.org 11 track & Workshop descriptions Evidence and Social Media Judicial Roundtable – The Winds of Change Thanks to internet sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google we can now gain an almost limitless amount of data and information on a person within seconds. But is this information relevant? Is it admissible? Is it useful? Find out the ways in which you can and cannot go about using social media sites for child support activities such as locating parents, imputing earnings and as evidence in the courtroom. Change is in the air. Courts today are dealing with change on a number of levels; automation, shrinking budgets, going paperless, and changes to what defines a “family”. While our shared mission of helping families remains the same, courts all over the state are rising to the challenge and demands for efficiency and flexibility, all without sacrificing due process. Each court and every county has a unique story to tell. Join the Commissioners in a discussion of the challenges we face together and some unique solutions of what we can do to further our partnership for families. Workers Compensation – How to Effectively work with WCAB, Insurance Companies and Attorneys to Collect from Workers Compensation Benefits Have information that an Obligor is currently receiving Workers Compensation Benefits and need to effectively collect? Want to ensure that your child support cases are receiving everything they are entitled to receive from a Workers Compensation settlement and money isn’t slipping through the cracks? Workers Compensation is changing, so come join us for a discussion of the new practice from the caseworker perspective and the attorney/legal perspective. Panel members will discuss how to effectively and efficiently collect from Workers Compensation Benefits and will address the newly issued WCAB handbook as well as the newest practice of e-filing liens. UIFSA – What does the future of UIFSA look like for CA.? We all know the unique and challenging situations we encounter with intergovernmental cases. With the passage of H.R. 4980 will these issues be resolved or will they continue? How will our case analysis and handling have to be changed? Join us as we discuss the impacts of the recently signed H.R. 4980 and the changes this federal legislation will require of California and our current UIFSA statute. 12 Leadership You’ve probably heard the expression “He/ She is a born leader.” Are all leaders born? Or can leadership be learned? Some people are, indeed, born leaders. However, leaders are also learners: from success, failure, assignments, books, classes, people, and life itself. We all have leadership potential and learning how to be a more effective leader is within everyone’s grasp. This track is focused on leadership and exploring what it takes to be an effective contributor to team and organizational outcomes. The workshops will set the stage for child support professionals to obtain knowledge, exchange information, and gain insight into diverse perspectives necessary for maximum performance and career enhancement. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS The Best Teams Hold Themselves Accountable Have you heard of the phrase “peer pressure”? Do you think that peer pressure could help limit the amount of time you as a supervisor or manager spends settling disagreements between members of your team? When issues arise on teams and team members are provided 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo track & Workshop descriptions the freedom to immediately and politely confront one another, the amount of time the supervisor or manager must spend settling disputes minimizes. Putting this dispute resolution method into practice could improve productivity, increase trust and build camaraderie while freeing up the person in charge and allowing him/her to work on more pressing matters. Manager Focused Skills/Development The saying “Keep Calm and Carry On” is one that can be used in many factions of life whether it is your personal life or work life. You might be telling yourself this constantly when trying to navigate your local LCSA’s political landscape, strategically planning your budget to meet the needs of your department or deal effectively with personnel matters. This workshop will provide you with the skills needed to follow the mantra of keeping calm and carrying on. Structured Networking Are you uncomfortable with chatting-up strangers and sometimes do not know how to find common ground? Is this your first conference and you’re finding it difficult to know where to begin to meet people and network? Managers have often built a network, but most line staff have few opportunities to get to know people through outside workgroups and other events. With technology, in-person networking seems to be getting more and more difficult for some. This workshop will provide a hands-on approach in providing the best practices and techniques while you network with your fellow child support professionals. Managing Change in the Workplace The simple statement of “change being inevitable” holds true in any workplace. Just think about all of the changes that have occurred within your organization as well as those organizations around you. One key aspect of managing change is taking a proactive approach instead of a reactive approach. This workshop will provide an overview of approaches and models that can be utilized for managing change in your organization. Transition from Peer to Supervisor Have you recently transitioned from peer to supervisor? Making that move from co- worker to supervisor or manager could be a difficult situation for some. Gaining new responsibilities, increase in decision making, and realizing how to make that change from the team member to leader can be perplexing. This workshop will assist the recently transitioned leader in handling the “peer to supervisor” shift. It will provide a guide of do’s and don’ts to follow for success. Critical Thinking “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” – John F. Kennedy. When facing a problem or an issue, making the right decision is a fundamental task. Critical thinking helps us to ask relevant questions, weigh evidence offered in support of arguments, interpret complex problems, and make wise decisions. This is especially important when you realize that many problems do not lend themselves to clear-cut solutions. This workshop will explore creative problemsolving techniques where you’ll learn how to evaluate ideas objectively, solve problems more effectively, and make much better decisions. Join us to get the skills that can propel you to the next level of success. Leadership for Supervisors Supervisors of all levels who desire to become better leaders will find this engaging workshop beneficial and insightful. Discover key concepts associated with supervisory leadership, and learn how your leadership style can impact employee satisfaction and productivity. Supervisors and team leaders will gain insight into the skills they need and strategies they can use to become more effective leaders within their organization. www.csdaca.org 13 track & Workshop descriptions Life Lessons in Coaching / Leadership vs. Management The old rules of management and supervision simply don’t work with today’s complex workforce. The effective leaders of today must maintain the right balance of leadership and management, and rely on the power of coaching and mentoring to lead their teams to success. During this workshop you’ll gain coaching and mentoring techniques along with proven strategies to motivate team members to achieve more. You’ll discover how coaching can help you become a more effective leader and learn how to build a rock-solid team of winners! Mentoring and Staff Development Today, successful organizations large and small are realizing that having a mentoring program in the workplace can have long-term benefits. Mentoring serves as a platform to discuss career goals while offering development opportunities and guidance to employees seeking professional growth. It also acts as a tool to enhance the quality of leadership within key individuals and the organization. Join us as we explore how other counties have leveraged mentoring to improve employee onboarding, leadership development, and other important learning and development initiatives to help employees develop new skills and stay engaged within the organization. Program and Fiscal Management Join us on the journey of managing the present and shaping future strategies for case/financial/ administrative management. Managing the Child Support Program requires that you wear many hats and fill many roles. Explore successful strategies that improve efficiencies and best use of resources throughout the program. Discover workshops that connect, collaborate and share approaches regarding program/fiscal management. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS System Functionality for Fiscal Staff This workshop will help demystify the sometimes complex and hard to understand financial system in CSE. Enhance your ability to read and understand the financial screens. Learn different ways complex adjustments, involving collections, can be processed. Determine how to work the fiscal tasks most efficiently and identify the types of financial reports available. Join us as we explore and clarify these, and other areas, of the financial realm. Legal to Financial Dissolution orders and even our own IV-D judgments and orders, have unusual language and requirements that are difficult to enter and enforce in CSE. Is it your responsibility to prepare, interpret or enter these details into CSE’s court order and financial screens? Join us for this roundtable discussion to ensure you are accurately deciphering, entering, tracking, and enforcing orders. Gain a better understanding of how these non-standard judgments and orders impact financials in CSE. Examine Smith-Ostler orders, net orders, consolidation clauses, SSA derivative benefits and much more. 14 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo track & Workshop descriptions Child Support Claiming Process Do you ever wonder how other counties prepare their CS356 Quarterly Administrative claim? When preparing the claim, do you have lingering questions about categorizing expenses or cash basis versus accrual basis claiming? This workshop is your opportunity to learn how LCSAs are categorizing Administrative EDP expenses, why expenses are claimed on a cash basis and the exceptions to this. We will examine abating interest, depreciation rules and when prior approval is needed for purchases. Finally, we will compare all of this information to the county’s accrual basis and discuss reconciling the two during the year-end process. Working with Mexico – Strategies for Success Cross-border establishment and enforcement of child support can be complex. Understanding the differences and similarities between the laws in the USA and Mexico can help your program be successful when working with our growing Hispanic population. Learn how to build a collaborative relationship with the Mexican Consulate, Desarrollo Integral de La Familia (DIF - Baja’s equivalent to DCSS), how Mexico can help with the enforcement of child support orders and the nuances about the UIFSA Referral process to Mexico. This workshop will provide valuable information as it relates to the international child support community. When Less is More In today’s economic climate of shrinking budgets, it’s even more important to work smarter, not harder. Join us to learn how your LCSA can optimize resources while still meeting the objectives of the State’s Strategic Plan. Walk through a basic workload assessment model to optimize your resources. Learn to take a close look at processes and critically assess what resources are necessary to do the job. Leveraging CMT to Improve Performance Still wondering how to get the most from CMT? Join us as we explore how CMT can be used to improve caseload performance. Gain insight on how to obtain the most from the pre-defined queries and reports, how to choose what data to display and how to use filters to create custom reports. All of these features can sharpen your focus on the cases you need to work. This workshop will also cover the recent enhancements to CMT filter options and future plans for CMT development. Understanding the State Budget Do you think of the California State Budget Process as a mystery wrapped in an enigma? How does the State Budget impact both the state and local child support program? And what is so darn important about budget item 5175? If you are interested in having the State Budget Process explained in simple and understandable terms, and understanding why the State Budget is so important to our everyday work, then this workshop is for you. Be sure to bring your local budget related questions or concerns as we will leave plenty of time for a lively and informative discussion. Preparing for the Big One – The DCSS State Audit That Is Are you prepared for the next big one, a visit from the DCSS Office of Audits and Compliance? OAC has a schedule that includes a regular stop at each of the 51 local child support agencies, so if you haven’t seen them yet, they are coming. And they are looking at your claimed administrative costs. Are you ready? Do you know what is an allowable cost? Are you aware of the changes in regulation based on the new uniform requirements that replaces A-87? Are you aware of the requirements in depreciating modular furniture, or ensuring that your LCSA has support for staff who perform non- Title IV-D activities; or the requirements for reporting interest? Join us for a fascinating discussion of financial records, supporting documents, internal controls, direct and indirect cost, payroll records – and some of the things even your County Auditor-Controller might not know. Preparation pays, and we’ll help you to get prepared. Remember, it doesn’t have to hurt. With a little preparation and knowledge, you can get through this without a finding. www.csdaca.org 15 track & Workshop descriptions IV-A Interface If you are interested in learning more about the IV-A updates to CSE and Service Request (S/R) assignment, this is the workshop for you! Join us as we discuss the information CSE receives via the IV-A interface. Tips and best practices will be shared as we navigate S/R assignment and transactions received via the IV-A interface. Preparing for the IRS Safeguard Review Every LCSA employee needs to be keenly aware of IRS safeguarding requirements. If you’re involved in the annual Safeguard Audit Review (SAR), you understand the stress that goes along with it! LCSAs are required to perform mandatory annual and semi-annual, internal “safeguard” reviews to ensure policies, procedures and security measures are in place to protect the confidentiality of Federal Tax Information (FTI). A comprehensive strategy will ensure procedures for record keeping, storage, security, encryption, and disposal of FTI conforms to IRS requirements. This workshop will provide you with a blueprint and some best practices to prepare you for the annual IRS safeguard reviews. Program Improvement Understanding and learning from our past helps us navigate our present and plan for our future. The work we do currently is a vital piece of the support structure that leads to the healthy development of our nation’s children. Our efforts support the future of our country. Program Improvement is so much more than chasing numbers – trying to increase a percentage on a Federal Performance Measure – it’s about doing our very best to maximize the support we provide to families. This series of workshops will provide you with strategies and approaches to increase your contribution to the families we serve (and likely increase your performance in the process). WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS State Services Portal Can’t Find It? The State Services Portal (SSP) may have what you’re looking for. The SSP is the gateway to the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS). SSP allows you to take advantage of several locate tools all in one location, and everything is just a click away. This workshop will showcase this tool and its ability to help you streamline your business needs all in a one-stop shopping location. The workshop will also focus on CSE Locate processes and where much of the SSP data can also be found in CSE! 16 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo track & Workshop descriptions Understanding Social Security Administration Information in the State Services Portal Quantifying Success – Know Your Performance Data Interpreting Social Security Administration (SSA) SVES Title II & Title XVI benefits in the Federal Parent Locator Services (FPLS) State Services Portal (SSP) can be tricky. This workshop will focus on SVES benefits available through SSA, how to find the information in the SSP, and understand what they mean. Daniel Keys Moran once said, “You can have data without information, but you cannot have information without data”. The child support profession is filled with data. Let us help you navigate your way through the sea of information. What does it all mean? How can you make sense of it? How can we use it to better serve our customers? Using Data to Tell the Child Support Story Child Support makes a difference in the lives of children. Helping the public understand who we are and what we do helps promote parental responsibility. When child support data is integrated with other public data such as socioeconomic indicators, demographics, and county geographic informational systems (GIS), we can begin to paint a more comprehensive picture. This workshop will discuss strategies used to turn available data into a clear child support story and provide time for an open discussion to explore ideas. Tailored Analytics Is it possible to forecast your performance like we do the weather? Can you cultivate and embed analytic functions into your program activities to help predict the outcome? We think you can. Learn what can be done with modern predictive capabilities and analyzing data to help improve your performance. Understand your customer and their needs to better assist you in supporting California’s children. Establishing Right-Sized Orders Enforcement Strategies for Long Term Delinquent Cases We all have them and need new ideas on how to work successfully with them. Getting money to families is the name of the game. Are you looking for new approaches to working with customers who haven’t made a payment in quite some time? Local Child Support Agencies will share their approach to working long-term delinquent cases. What has worked and what hasn’t? Explore short-term solutions with a long-term effect. The latest research indicates that establishing rightsized orders for NCPs result in higher compliance, higher payment consistency, and a reduction in future arrears growth. Based on these findings, what are the strategies child support professionals can implement to set and maintain right size orders to improve the long term financial well-being of families? At this workshop, we will discuss the most effective strategies currently used from an administrative, judicial, and policy perspective. Employers and DCSS – A Winning Combination Child Support Beyond Performance Employers are valuable and essential child support partners. Statewide, income withholding orders account for 70 percent of child support collections. Working with employers and ensuring employer data is accurate in CSE are key factors in improving compliance and increasing collections of child support orders. Learn about local, statewide and national efforts to strengthen our relationship with employers and improve the reliability of employer information. Together, we can make a difference. Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Does it seem like we are recycling projects and thinking that someday we will unlock the secret to performance. Thinking “outside the box” may be the answer. Learn a different way of viewing performance. Let’s work together to boost California’s performance. www.csdaca.org 17 track & Workshop descriptions Collection Strategies According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost to raise a child over an 18 year time span is $241,808. With the increase of single parent homes, child support plays a vital role in the lives of children now more than ever. Come learn what other child support professionals have done to increase their collections. Together, we can make a difference in a child’s life. Partnerships for Families ] Being a Child Support Professional today requires a broad knowledge of the services available to help parents successfully provide for their children’s financial, emotional and educational needs. Come learn and explore the innovative services offered to families. Parents need tools and resources to support their children and to be positively involved in raising them. This track will give you the ability to provide references and information to partner with parents on the many issues impacting their children’s lives. Employment…The First Step to Financial Independence Employment barriers for case participants may range from transportation, education, physical or mental disabilities and substance abuse. Programs and service providers can and will partner with Child Support Agencies to help… every journey begins with the first step. This workshop will highlight the most innovative and effective projects out there. Working Together on the Road to Family SelfSufficiency Community Services Agencies, Child Support Agencies, Workforce Investment Departments, and non-profits; we’re all working towards the same goal, on the same road. We are driving separately towards the same destination of lifting families out of poverty to reach self-sufficiency, but we get caught up in traffic jams because we are not working together. This session gives you the “fast pass” to the carpool lane where agencies come together and share the journey. Come and hear how agencies are successfully working together as partners, on grant opportunities and shared projects to help families in our communities. Family Law Facilitator Services WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS Building Brighter Futures – Relationship Education with Non-Custodial Parents In today’s world young fathers must co-parent, complete their education, and navigate romantic relationships while supporting their child emotionally and financially. Relationship skills training helps them make wiser choices that enable their goals for education, employment, parenting, and family. Join LA County Child Support Services Department and The Dibble Institute as they discuss how their collaboration in the successful Building Brighter Futures project accomplishes these goals. 18 Are you utilizing your Family Law Facilitator services to the fullest? Come join this dynamic panel to explore best practices, the Facilitator’s role and hear what is happening in several high-functioning programs from around the state. Are you Ready for Parenting Time? Whether you are ready or not, Parenting Time is coming your way soon. Come learn the federal perspective for implementing Parenting Time programs and hear how San Diego and Orange counties have developed programs and processes to help establish parenting time orders with new child support orders. You will hear about what worked, what didn’t work, and how to address domestic violence. You will discover the benefits to children when their parents agree to co-parent and create reliable schedules that kids can depend on. 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo track & Workshop descriptions Relationship Building with Local Partners In delivering effective services to families it is important to build relationships with partners in our local communities. As we serve our families by collecting child support, employers play a significant role in helping us achieve our goals. However, there are many more opportunities to establish relationships with other local partners in doing the business of child support. This workshop will showcase local child support agency programs that are innovative and will broaden attendees’ perspectives regarding new approaches and opportunities in working with new local partner agencies. Working Effectively with Distinct Communities and Immigrant Groups As California becomes more and more diverse, our need to tailor services to meet our customer needs becomes more challenging every day. There are a myriad of cultures, communities, languages and customs which are becoming increasingly important to understand and honor in building effective relationships with the customers we serve. This workshop will highlight LCSA developed programs for working with special populations and illustrate proven methods for building relationships through understanding the unique needs of these vital customers. Recognizing Domestic Violence Domestic violence continues to be a challenge for many of the families we serve. While our primary goal is to serve families by collecting child support, it is important for our staff to understand the dynamics of the family and be sensitive to the impacts of domestic violence as we deliver child support services. Families where domestic violence is an issue still need regular monthly child support to be self-sufficient and are entitled to our services. This workshop will provide attendees with strategies for effectively managing cases where domestic violence may impact the collection of child support and learn innovative ways to partner with other agencies as well as how to effectively work with case participants who may need our services but are concerned about the safety of their family. Introducing p.r.e.p. (Parental Responsibility Education Program) The presenters will introduce the p.r.e.p. program (Parental Responsibility Education Program). Developed originally by the Texas Office of the Attorney General Child Support Division as p.a.p.a. (Parenting and Paternity Awareness), p.r.e.p. was adapted for California by the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department. The program is a curriculum intended for California teachers to help meet the health education content standards. The programs overarching goal is to promote responsible parenthood and encourage the formation of healthy relationships & strong, stable families. More specifically, the program helps students: gain an understanding of parenting, parental responsibility, and the child support program; identify the realities, costs and legal consequences of parenting; and explore if, when, and under what circumstances they would like to become parents in the future. Demythologizing Mental Illness and Suicide In our society people with mental illness have been regularly stigmatized, discriminated against, and marginalized. One significant factor in dealing with the mentally ill is that many do not get the treatment and services they require to live effectively with a diagnosis of mental illness. Through understanding the challenges faced by this segment of our population, we can provide services in a way that allows case managers to be sensitive and learn to understand triggers that may be barriers to delivering services to those suffering with mental illness. Particular attention will be given to dealing with persons who are suicidal. Through partnerships with mental health service providers in this workshop we will learn to work with these customers to achieve successful outcomes. Tribal Case Transfers The Yurok Tribe became the first tribe in California to receive federal approval to operate a comprehensive IV-D child support program. In this workshop the presenters will discuss the process for transferring cases from LCSAs and California courts to the Tribal IV-D program and Tribal Court. They’ll also share lessons learned along the way and procedures that have been developed to support all parties in serving the families of California. www.csdaca.org 19 track & Workshop descriptions The Inside Scoop Breaking news! Read all about it! As child support booming and we ha professionals we all know there is more to the story when it comes to supporting California’s families than what makes the headlines. This training track offers a wide array of workshops designed to enhance both personal and professional development for all staff working in the Child Support Program. The workshops will provide insight when it comes to managing stress, building morale, preparing for an emergency, improving communication, and much more. Join us for “The Inside Scoop” and walk away with knowledge and skills that will make the headlines. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS CSDA – The Who? The What? The Why? Established in 2001, the Child Support Directors Association of California (CSDA) is a non-profit association created to represent the directors of California’s 58 counties. With a mission to promote and support the county child support agencies in their efforts to provide for the economic well-being of the children and families served by California’s Child Support Program, CSDA plays an integral part to our program. Walk away knowing the who, the what, and the why of CSDA. Discovering Your Balance – Finding the Harmony Between Work and Personal Life Ever feel like you are being tugged in 10 different directions? There’s kids, school, family, sports, friends, appointments…Don’t forget about tasks, mail, return phone calls, staff meetings, and case reviews. Does it feel like all of these things are battling for your attention? Confused on where to focus first? Join us as we explore different techniques to help establish your 20 priorities for both home and work. Learn tips to maintain a better balance between work and personal life and create a healthier you. The Big Bang Theory – Top 10 Reports in CSE With all of the reports made available to us, which ones do we work first? What exactly does each one do? Are they going to help with clean data, Federal Performance Measures, or collections? Come and get all of your questions answered from some of the top analysts regarding which reports will help in each of these areas. This workshop is guaranteed to give you more BANG for your buck when it comes to reports. When Can You Start? – Tips for Finding the Right Person and Successful Interviews There are always opportunities for employees to promote, and as supervisors and managers, one of our roles should be to help our line staff prepare for interviews. Conversely, as a supervisor or manager on an interview panel, whether a promotional candidate or somebody new to the organization, how do you know if you are choosing the correct person? Have you ever hired a new employee and 6 weeks later hear them say “I didn’t know I was going to be doing this, that, or the other thing?” The child support business is a difficult and challenging job and not everyone finds it to be fulfilling and rewarding. Walk away from this workshop with tips on identifying the candidates you desire, weeding out those you don’t, and conducting a successful interview for both the interviewer and interviewee. Defining Strategy – A Look at the State Strategic Plan In order to be successful, one must have a plan…A roadmap of sorts to lead you to your goal. The same applies in the world of child support. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to hear directly from the State Director of the Department of Child Support Services regarding the direction that the child support program is taking and what our future looks like. 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo track & Workshop descriptions AB 109 – What Does Realignment Look Like for Child Support? Going the Extra Mile – Customer Service Techniques With the implementation of Assembly Bill 109, the responsibility for incarcerating many low risk inmates shifted from the state to the counties. Many refer to this shift as “prison realignment”. While AB109 has drastically affected local jails, police and probation departments, and the courts, the child support program has also felt the effect. Determining status of “incarceration”, creating a point of contact, and overall best practices will be shared to assist LCSAs with understanding AB109 and how it pertains to our program. Good customer service is meeting the expectations of customers and usually leaves the customer pleased. Excellent customer service is perfection plus 10%, leaving the customer not only satisfied, but telling others about their exceptional experience. This practice applies both to our external customers as well as our internal customers. Join us as we share tools and techniques on how to constantly and consistently exceed customers’ expectations. Securing Staff Safety Dealing with families, children, and money can be a delicate situation. At times, child support professionals come in contact with customers who are not necessarily content with their situation and unclear about how to deal with it. This can lead to frustration, anger, and a sense of hopelessness. With crime and violence on the rise, protecting staff from some of these customers has become a concern for many LCSAs. This workshop will provide tools and techniques to better insure staff safety without creating a state of paranoia within your department. Using Your Words – Perfecting Business Writing Skills Business writing skills are needed in almost every facet of your daily work. Whether you’re sending a letter/email to a customer or entering an activity note into CSE, your skills must be sharp as well as professional. Starting with a purpose, establishing the tone of your document, and proof reading your work, are all key points to remember when clicking SAVE, SEND or GENERATE FORM SET. Learn how to fine tune your writing skills and have a successful relationship between you and your computer/pen. Training Coordinator Forum Their motto is “to support shared responsibility between DCSS Statewide Training Branch and LCSA Training Coordinators to operate a professional, efficient, and high quality training program for California’s child support program”. Come and find out what is in the works as far as up-coming classes and trainings in the child support world. Are you a Training Coordinator in your county? Take this opportunity to touch base with fellow trainers, to enhance your growing network, and meet face to face, rather than just a voice on a conference call. Don’t Panic and Stay Calm – Preparing for the Unexpected Everyone stay calm! Easier said than done when faced with a crisis such as a fire, flood, or earthquake. Is your office prepared in case of an emergency? Does your staff know what to do? Where to go? Who to call? This workshop will provide you with practical ways to prepare for an emergency and hear from LCSAs that have had to deal with these types of situations firsthand. www.csdaca.org 21 REGISTRATION INFORMATION REGISTRATION payment To register for this year’s Annual Child Support Training Conference and Expo, please visit https://csdaca.org/ events/csda-annual-child-support-conference. CONFERENCE RATES Full registration fees include: n All conference materials n Admission to conference workshop and plenary sessions and the Exposition Hall n Lunches, continental breakfasts and refreshment breaks n Banquet Dinner (Wednesday) n MCLE Credits (provided with designated workshops) Registrants may pay online by credit card (Visa/MasterCard/ American Express) or by check. If paying by check, please note which registrants should receive credit for payment in the check memo. Mail checks to: Child Support Directors Association 2150 River Plaza Drive, Suite 420 Sacramento, CA 95833 Attn: Annual Training Conference refund policy Full Conference $325 One Day Registration $145 guests Registrants may invite up to two guests to each of the following: Banquet Dinner.................................$50/per Guest User initiated cancellations without penalty can be made online prior to March 26, 2015. After this date, registered attendees unable to attend due to special circumstances must submit a detailed request in writing to CSDA for refund consideration. Send request to: CSDA, 2150 River Plaza Drive, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95833, Attn: Annual Training Conference. Requests for refunds must be received by March 26, 2015. If approved, refund of registration fee, less a $25 processing charge, will be issued to the agency by check. attire/weather Lunch.................................................$30/per Guest The attire for this conference is business casual. The temperature in Burlingame in April averages 60 degrees. special needs Registrants who require special accommodations related to facility access, communication, or diet are asked to please contact the Conference Coordinator Lisa Bispham at (916) 446-6700 extension 100 or lbispham@csdaca.org. 22 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo hotel & travel information conference hotel Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport 1333 Bayshore Highway Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 347-1234 To make hotel reservations online click here or call (888) 421-1442. If making your reservations by phone, please mention that you would like the group rate for the Child Support Directors Association (CSDA). The special rate is only available if you reserve your room BEFORE March 23, 2015. rates Single…....$149 (plus applicable taxes and fees) Double…..$149 (plus applicable taxes and fees) Triple…….$174 (plus applicable taxes and fees) Parking*…$12 per day/self-parking reservations $14 per day/valet parking (*special discount on self parking rate for conference attendees) About the Hyatt Regency SFO The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport is a sophisticated hotel located in Burlingame and just 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco and a short drive from San Francisco Airport (SFO). The recently renovated airport hotel offers pampering amenities and services with an emphasis on sustainable green practices. Note: Please do not make a hotel reservation unless you are certain you will use it, as rooms in the conference hotel are highly prized. Making reservations merely to ensure a space when you are not ready to commit to attending denies other attendees a room of their choice, costs the hotel business, and is costly for the Association due to our room block guarantees. Additionally, if you make a reservation and later need to cancel, please do so as early as possible so the room may be made available to someone else. transportation San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Distance: 2 miles Oakland International Airport (OAK) Distance: 30 miles Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART): Take the complimentary Hyatt Shuttle Bus to/from SFO’s International Terminal to connect with BART. Approximate cost from the station to downtown SF is $8/one-way. Caltrain: Weekday train service between San Francisco and San Jose, with commute-hour service to Gilroy. Weekend service is offered from San Francisco to San Jose. Caltrain station is 5 minutes from the hotel. Shuttle Services Complimentary 24-hour shuttle offers transportation to and from San Francisco International Airport daily. There is also a complimentary Burlingame Trolley that offers transportation to and from downtown Burlingame for shopping, dining and entertainment. www.csdaca.org 23 charity CASA of Santa Cruz County • CASA of San Benito County ASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Santa Cruz County and CASA of San Benito County train and supervise community volunteers who advocate for children who have been abused or neglected and placed in foster care. They uphold the children’s rights while pursuing a safe and permanent home. They are based on a proven model developed in the late 1970s that has grown into a network of over 900 independent organizations nationwide. Children in need of support are referred to CASA by the judge, social workers, or others within the child welfare system. CASA matches its trained volunteers with a child. The volunteer is called an Advocate. He or she spends time with their child each week, building a trusting relationship through weekly visits and enriching excursions. For many children in foster care, their Advocate is the only consistent adult presence in their lives. www.casaofsantacruz.org The volunteer advocates on the child’s behalf with family services, the court, medical and mental health providers, and works closely with the child’s social worker, caregiver and teachers. And finally, the Advocate gives the child a voice by attending court hearings and communicating their needs to the court on their behalf. With over 500 children in the Santa Cruz County dependency (foster) care system, CASA of Santa Cruz serves more than 200 children each year. They train approximately 80 new Advocates each year, and supervise approximately 240. Since its inception in 1992, they have trained over 1,100 volunteer Advocates and served almost 1,900 children. www.casasanbenito.org San Benito County has approximately 100 children in the foster care system. CASA of San Benito County operated as a division under CASA of Monterey County since 2008. On July 1, 2013 CASA of San Benito became an independent nonprofit organization. Last year they served 55 children with 34 Advocates. In the words of an Advocate for a foster child, “I became an Advocate to give hope to these children who need it the most.” This is what having an Advocate meant to a young woman in foster care from the age of 10: “Without my Advocate, I wouldn’t have graduated from high school, wouldn’t be in college now, and wouldn’t be living on my own. Without her showing me the way, I just wouldn’t have seen those options.” CASA of Santa Cruz County and CASA of San Benito County are non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations. 24 2015 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo 2015 What’s Inside Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo Click Here to Register www.csdaca.org www.csdaca.org CHILD SUPPORT DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA