In Support of Pursuing Child Support Initiatives
Resolution 19: In Support of Pursuing Child Support Initiatives
WHEREAS, in May 2003, the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) sponsored the 2nd National Symposium on Children, Courts, and the Federal Child Support Enforcement Program for the purpose of identifying critical issues that require collaboration among the courts, child support agencies and Medicaid agencies; and
WHEREAS, continued collaboration between State court leaders and OCSE will be needed to improve the outcomes for the children of America who do not live with both parents; and
WHEREAS, following the Symposium, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) reviewed the many issues discussed at the Symposium and identified three priority issues--uncollectible arrears, default orders and interstate case processing; and
WHEREAS, potential strategies could include (without limitation) identifying alternatives available to judges for dealing with cases in which the arrears are not realistically collectible, developing model procedures and court rules to reduce the number of default orders and to set appropriate default order amounts, identifying model procedures and court rules that facilitate interstate cooperation and communication, and sponsoring regional training meetings for representatives from the courts and Executive Branch agencies; and
WHEREAS, as the leadership of the State courts, CCJ and COSCA are committed to identifying and implementing reforms that will improve the collection of child support;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that CCJ is committed to working collaboratively with the OCSE, IV-D agency directors and state legislatures to improve the administration of the child support enforcement program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CCJ is committed to examining and making appropriate changes in court processes, procedures and rules that will effectuate improved outcomes for children.
Adopted as proposed by the Courts, Children and Families Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices at the 27th Midyear Meeting on January 21, 2004.