ATTACHMENT A

Members of the Strategic Plan Review Work Group

State Representatives:

Wally Dutkowski Diane Fray Robert Doar

Theresa Kaiser Nick Young Steve Veno

Ray Weaver Brian Kinkade Gary Bailey

Dick Williams Barbara Miklos Mary Ann Wellbank

Pauline Burton Laura Kadwell Alisha Griffen

Local government representative:

Brian Shea

Tribal government representatives:

Terry Hoyt Jerry Sweet

Federal representatives:

Joyce Pitts Lily Matheson Gaile Maller

Donna Bonar Michelle Jefferson Keith Bassett

Mike Ambrose David Siegel Diane Degenhart

Norm Thompson John Clark

Wendy Gray --facilitator

[Consensus]{.underline}:

1995-1999 Plan: February 28, 1995

1995-1999 Measures: July 18, 1996

2000-2004 Plan & Measures: date?

**CHILD SUPPORT** **STRATEGIC PLAN WITH OUTCOME MEASURES**

**FOR FY** **2000-2004**

• .

# [INTRODUCTION]{.underline}

[Under the first Child Support Enforcement Program strategic plan for
the period FY 1995 to 1999, there were enormous strides made in
improving program outcomes for children and families in need of
emotional and financial assistance from both parents. Collections have
risen to over \$14.4 billion and for the first time, more children had
paternity established than were born outside of marriage. These are
noteworthy outcomes. And yet, with a caseload still in excess of 19
million more needs to be done by the nation's child support
system.]{.underline}

[This revised strategic plan, for the period FY 2000-2004 is our vision
for the new century. It is our commitment to do more. It is our
commitment to lead the child support program into the new century as the
key component to assist families to become self-sufficient or to remain
self-sufficient. It is our vision that child support is the first line
of defense against children living in poverty. It is our vision that
medical child support is the first line of defense against
childrenliving without health insurance]{.underline} [. It is our
commitment to provide world class service to children and families in
need. It is our commitment to go beyond what we have done in the past by
using all the new tools provided to us in the Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Welfare Reform). It is
our commitment to continually find new and creative ways to enhance
program success. It is our commitment to crack down on those parents who
can pay but refuse to support their children, while providing necessary
and appropriate assistance to those who want to pay but are unable to
pay their fair share due to their current life
circumstances.]{.underline}

[Over the past five years, there has been enormous change in the
environment that surrounds the nation's child support program. We will
respond to these changes by dynamically leading the program. We
acknowledge that the child support program is much more than cost
recovery, though that remains an important focus. The program must also
be much more than just a partnership between Federal, State, local and
tribal governments if we are to be truly successful. We must enlist our
stakeholders and the general public to join with us to promote the
economic and social well being of families, children, individuals and
communities, which is at the heart of the child support program's
mission. Through our joint vision]{.underline} [we continue to
see:]{.underline}

-   [Families and individuals empowered to increase their own economic
    independence and productivity;]{.underline}

-   [Strong, healthy, supportive communities having a positive impact on
    the quality of life and the development of children;]{.underline}

-   [Partnerships with individuals, front-line service providers
    and]{.underline} [communities, States and Congress, Federal
    agencies, Indian tribes and tribal organizations that enable
    solutions which transcend traditional boundaries;]{.underline}

-   [Services planned, reformed and integrated to improve needed
    access.]{.underline}

[Trust, communications, planning, creativity, risk-taking and respect
among program partners and stakeholders are the values to which we in
the nation's child support community pledge ourselves.]{.underline}

## MISSION

The Child Support Enforcement Program is authorized and defined by
statute, title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The purpose and the
*mission* of the Program are derived from the Act:

To assure that assistance in obtaining support (including financial and
medical) is available to children through locating parents, establishing
paternity and support obligations, and enforcing those obligations.

\[Explanation:The idea here is that we don't want to limit the types of
support that children should receive.\]

**VISION FOR THE FUTURE**

The Child Support Program will put children first by helping both
parents assume responsibility for the economic and social well-being,
health and stability of their children. We recognize the value of
improved relationships with both parents.

\[Explanation: Our commitment is to helping both parents. This can
include programs to help fathers get jobs, for example.\]

The Child Support program will promote stability, health, and economic
security for all children in need of support. This will be accomplished
by assuring that a parent who lives outside the primary residence of the
children has a legal relationship with the child, pays an appropriate
level of child support on a regular and timely basis, and is encouraged,
except in cases where this is proven to be inappropriate, to have an
ongoing relationship with the child. Child support includes providing
for medical support.

We acknowledge that fathers and mothers (and other caretakers) each play
a critical emotional role in a child\'s upbringing. Thus, within the
context of first serving the best interests of the child, we must see
that all parents are treated fairly and equitably by the CSE system and
that the concerns of both parents are recognized.

The Program is committed to expanding its knowledge base through
research and demonstration projects that are intended to advance the
well-being of children. *\[Explanation:* *Here we want to be more
inclusive than* *only including* *government projects.\]*

The Program is sensitive to the fact that we now have access to a vast
array of personal information about those people receiving our services
as well as those outside the child support program. We recognize the
responsibility that comes with access to this data and we are committed
to respecting and ensuring the privacy and security of this information.
\[Explanation: Stress security of data, including National and State
Directories of New Hires on all new employees\]

**OUR CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS**

For the purpose of this document, the primary *customers* and
beneficiaries of the Child Support Program are children in need of
support. Secondary customers are the two parents of these children. It
is important to recognize the different values and perspectives of those
involved in children\'s lives and to acknowledge that, while interests
may conflict, the physical and emotional needs of the child are
paramount.

The Child Support Program is operated by a number of entities that must
work together in partnership to achieve results for Program customers.
The partners who operate the program include:

• State, local and tribal child support enforcement agencies;

• Courts, law enforcement agencies, and other entities operating under
cooperative agreements with child support enforcement agencies; and

• The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), including ACF Regional
Offices.

Many other groups have an important role in helping us serve our
customers. Without the active cooperation of these additional partners,
we would be unable to operate our Program effectively. These additional
partners include, but are not limited to, employers, financial
institutions, hospitals, contractors and other components of Federal,
State, and local government.

Many other groups have a legitimate interest in how our customers are
served. These *stakeholders* make a contribution toward, and benefit
from, a well-run Program. They include national interest groups and
community-based organizations that help serve the interests of Program
customers or partners; other components of Federal, State and local
government that serve our customers, such as Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families (title IV-A), Medicaid (title XIX) and Child Welfare
(including title IV-E) agencies; related government agencies that work
on particular aspects of the Program; -; ; Congress; State legislatures;
taxpayers; and the public in general.

**GOALS AND OBJECTIVES**

Program goals are the broad-based outcomes or impacts sought for program
customers. Objectives are the results to be accomplished in order for
the goals to become a reality. Accomplishing the objectives will move
the program forward in achieving its strategic goals.

\[Explanation: This Plan was developed by partners not OCSE.\]

The goals and objectives described below represent the most important
outcomes the Program seeks to achieve. They were developed in
collaboration with Federal, State, local and tribal child support
partners. Specific strategies for meeting these objectives rest with
State, andl and tribal child support agencies with the Federal office
providing technical support and monitoring evaluatio

Many of the objectives were part of the first Strategic Plan and have
since gained additional importance as they evolved into the performance
measures included in the "Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of
1998." [We a]{.underline}greed that the establishment of paternity and
support obligations, the collection and enforcement of support, the
establishment and enforcement of medical support, and the operation of a
customer-focused and cost effective program continue to be the desired
outcomes of the child support program.

\[Explanation: The language, though believed to be critical by State
partners 5 years ago, seems less so now as it has become integral,
assumed in the way we operate.\]

GOAL 1: ALL CHILDREN HAVE PARENTAGE ESTABLISHED

[Objective]{.underline}:

a\. **To Increase Establishment of Paternities, Particularly Those
Established within One Year of Birth**

[Indicators]{.underline}:

1\. *The Ratio that the Total Number* *of Children in the IV-D Caseload
in the FY or, at the option of the State, as of the end of the FY, who
have been Born Out of Wedlock, the Paternity of Whom has been
Established or Acknowledged, Bears to the Total* *Number* *of Children
in the IV-D Caseload as of the end of the preceding FY who were
BornOut-of-Wedlock*

(Statutory Caseload Paternity Establishment Percentage)

2\. *The Ratio that the* *Total* *Number of* *Minor* *Children* *who
have been* *Born* *Out-of-Wedlock and for whom* *Paternity has been*
*Established or* *Acknowledged during the* *FY, bears to the* *Total*
*Number of* *Children* *Born* *Out-of-Wedlock during the preceding* *FY*

> *(Statutory Statewide Paternity Establishment Percentage)*

3\. *The Percentage of Children in the IV-D Caseload with Paternity
Resolved*

4\. *The Percentage of Children Born Out of Wedlock with Voluntary
Paternity Acknowledgments*

\[Explanation: these indicators have been rearranged to make the
statutory indicators appear 1^st^ and 2^nd^.\]

GOAL 2: ALL CHILDREN IN IV-D CASES HAVE FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT
ORDERS

[Objective]{.underline}:

a\. **To Increase the** **Percentage of IV-D Cases with Orders for
Financial Support**

[Indicator]{.underline}:

1\. *The Percentage of IV-D Cases with Support Orders*

(Statutory Support Order Performance Level)

[Objective]{.underline}:

b\. **To Increase the** **Percentage of IV-D** **Cases With Orders for
Medical Support**

[Indicator]{.underline}:

1\. *The Percentage of IV-D Cases with Medical Support Orders*

Objective:

c.  **To** **Increase the** **Percentage** **of** **Interstate IV-D
    Cases with Orders for Support**

Indicator:

1.  *The Percentage of Interstate IV-D Cases with Orders for Support*

[\[Explanation: The work group believed and indicator/objective was
needed that focuses on performance in our most challenging
cases.\]]{.underline}

GOAL 3: ALL CHILDREN IN IV-D CASES RECEIVE FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT
FROM PARENTS AS ORDERED

[Objective]{.underline}:

a\. **To Increase the IV-D** **Collection Rate**

[Indicators]{.underline}:

1\. *Total Dollar Amount Collected* *and Distributed in IV-D Cases*

2.  *IV-D Collection Rate for Current Support*

> (Statutory Current Payment Performance Level)

3\. *Percentage of IV-D Cases with Orders Where Some Child Support is
Paid*

4\. *Percentage of Arrears Cases with a Collection on the Arrears.*
*(Statutory Arrearage Payment Performance* *Level)*

[Objective]{.underline}:

b\. **To Increase the Percentage of IV-D** **Cases Where** **Medical
Support** **Is Obtained After Being Ordered**

[Indicator]{.underline}:

1.  *Percentage of IV-D Cases Where* *Health Insurance* *is Provided as
    Ordered* \[This measure may be revisited after the HHS/Labor Medical
    Support Working Group has completed its work. Following their report
    and possible legislation, the Medical Support Incentive Work Group
    will reconvene to develop a medical support measure for the
    performance-based incentive system.\]

Objective:

**c.** **To Increase the Collections on Interstate IV-D Cases**

Indicator:

[1.]{.underline} [The Percentage of Interstate IV-D Cases with
Collections]{.underline}

[\[Explanation: The work group believed this was the best measure for
interstate collections, but]{.underline} ["interstate" may need to be
defined\]]{.underline}

GOAL 4: THE IV-D PROGRAM WILL BE EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE IN ITS
OPERATIONS

[Objective:]{.underline}

a.  [To make the program more efficient]{.underline}

[Indicator:]{.underline}

[1.]{.underline} *Total Dollars Collected per \$1 of Expenditures*

[(Statutory Cost-Effectiveness Performance Level)]{.underline}

*2, Placeholder for Future Cost Avoidance Indicator*

[Objective:]{.underline}

b.  [To make the program more responsive]{.underline}

[Indicators:]{.underline}

\[Explanation: The work group believed that this activity is very
important, but it measured a process rather than an outcome. There is no
requirement to adjust the order absent a review. State self-assessments
also measure the process of review and adjustment. Since the objective
was deleted, the survey indicator below was also removed\]

.

[Indicators]{.underline}:

*1. Children First Survey*

2\. *Survey of State Child Support* *Programs\' Satisfaction with
Federal Performance*

3.*Survey of State Child Support Programs' Satisfaction with Other
States'* *Responsiveness on Interstate Cases*

> *\[This survey could become a module of the survey of States under
> Indicator 2 above.\]*

[Consensus]{.underline}:

1995-1999 Plan: February 28, 1995

1995-1999 Measures: July 18, 1996

2000-2004 Plan & Measures: date?

### CHILD SUPPORT STRATEGIC PLAN

**WITH OUTCOME MEASURES**

**FOR FY 2000-2004**

# INTRODUCTION

Under the first Child Support Enforcement Program strategic plan for the
period FY 1995 to 1999, there were enormous strides made in improving
program outcomes for children and families in need of emotional and
financial assistance from both parents. Collections have risen to over
\$14.4 billion and for the first time, more children had paternity
established than were born outside of marriage. These are noteworthy
outcomes. And yet, with a caseload still in excess of 19 million more
needs to be done by the nation's child support system.

This revised strategic plan, for the period FY 2000-2004 is our vision
for the new century. It is our commitment to do more. It is our
commitment to lead the child support program into the new century as the
key component to assist families to become self-sufficient or to remain
self-sufficient. It is our vision that child support is the first line
of defense against children living in poverty. It is our vision that
medical child support is the first line of defense against children
living without health insurance. It is our commitment to provide world
class service to children and families in need. It is our commitment to
go beyond what we have done in the past by using all the new tools
provided to us in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Welfare Reform). It is our commitment to
continually find new and creative ways to enhance program success. It is
our commitment to crack down on those parents who can pay but refuse to
support their children, while providing necessary and appropriate
assistance to those who want to pay but are unable to pay their fair
share due to their current life circumstances.

Over the past five years, there has been enormous change in the
environment that surrounds the nation's child support program. We will
respond to these changes by dynamically leading the program. We
acknowledge that the child support program is much more than cost
recovery, though that remains an important focus. The program must also
be much more than just a partnership between Federal, State, local and
tribal governments if we are to be truly successful. We must enlist our
stakeholders and the general public to join with us to promote the
economic and social well being of families, children, individuals and
communities, which is at the heart of the child support program's
mission. Through our joint vision we continue to see:

-   Families and individuals empowered to increase their own economic
    independence and productivity;

-   Strong, healthy, supportive communities having a positive impact on
    the quality of life and the development of children;

-   Partnerships with individuals, front-line service providers and
    communities, States and Congress, Federal agencies, Indian tribes
    and tribal organizations that enable solutions which transcend
    traditional boundaries;

-   Services planned, reformed and integrated to improve needed access.

Trust, communications, planning, creativity, risk-taking and respect
among program partners and stakeholders are the values to which we in
the nation's child support community pledge ourselves.

## MISSION

The Child Support Enforcement Program is authorized and defined by
statute, title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The purpose and the
*mission* of the Program are derived from the Act:

To assure that assistance in obtaining support (including financial and
medical) is available to children through locating parents, establishing
paternity and support obligations, and enforcing those obligations.

**VISION FOR THE FUTURE**

The Child Support Program will put children first by helping both
parents assume responsibility for the economic and social well-being
health and stability of their children. We recognize the value of
improved relationships with both parents.

The Child Support program will promote stability, health, and economic
security for all children in need of support. This will be accomplished
by assuring that a parent who lives outside the primary residence of the
children has a legal relationship with the child, pays an appropriate
level of child support on a regular and timely basis, and is encouraged,
except in cases where this is proven to be inappropriate, to have an
ongoing relationship with the child. Child support includes providing
for medical support.

We acknowledge that fathers and mothers (and other caretakers) each play
a critical emotional role in a child\'s upbringing. Thus, within the
context of first serving the best interests of the child, we must see
that all parents are treated fairly and equitably by the CSE system and
that the concerns of both parents are recognized.

The Program is committed to expanding its knowledge base through
research and demonstration projects that are intended to advance the
well-being of children.

The Program is sensitive to the fact that we now have access to a vast
array of personal information about those people receiving our services
as well as those outside the child support program. We recognize the
responsibility that comes with access to this data and we are committed
to respecting and ensuring the privacy and security of this information.

**OUR CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS**

For the purpose of this document, the primary *customers* and
beneficiaries of the Child Support Program are children in need of
support. Secondary customers are the two parents of these children. It
is important to recognize the different values and perspectives of those
involved in children\'s lives and to acknowledge that, while interests
may conflict, the physical and emotional needs of the child are
paramount.

The Child Support Program is operated by a number of entities that must
work together in partnership to achieve results for Program customers.
The partners who operate the program include:

• State, local and tribal child support enforcement agencies;

• Courts, law enforcement agencies, and other entities operating under
cooperative agreements with child support enforcement agencies; and

• The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), including ACF Regional
Offices.

Many other groups have an important role in helping us serve our
customers. Without the active cooperation of these additional partners,
we would be unable to operate our Program effectively. These additional
partners include, but are not limited to, employers, financial
institutions, hospitals, contractors and other components of Federal,
State, and local government.

Many other groups have a legitimate interest in how our customers are
served. These *stakeholders* make a contribution toward, and benefit
from, a well-run Program. They include national interest groups and
community-based organizations that help serve the interests of Program
customers or partners; other components of Federal, State and local
government that serve our customers, such as Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families (title IV-A), Medicaid (title XIX) and Child Welfare
(including title IV-E) agencies; related government agencies that work
on particular aspects of the Program; Congress; State legislatures;
taxpayers; and the public in general.

**GOALS AND OBJECTIVES**

Program goals are the broad-based outcomes or impacts sought for program
customers. Objectives are the results to be accomplished in order for
the goals to become a reality. Accomplishing the objectives will move
the program forward in achieving its strategic goals.

The goals and objectives described below represent the most important
outcomes the Program seeks to achieve. They were developed in
collaboration with Federal, State, local and tribal child support
partners. Specific strategies for meeting these objectives rest with
State, local and tribal child support agencies with the Federal office
providing technical support and monitoring.

Many of the objectives were part of the first Strategic Plan and have
since gained additional importance as they evolved into the performance
measures included in the "Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of
1998." We agreed that the establishment of paternity and support
obligations, the collection and enforcement of support, the
establishment and enforcement of medical support, and the operation of a
customer-focused and cost-effective program continue to be the desired
outcomes of the child support program.

GOAL 1: ALL CHILDREN HAVE PARENTAGE ESTABLISHED

[Objective]{.underline}:

a\. **To Increase Establishment of Paternities, Particularly Those
Established within One Year of Birth**

[Indicators]{.underline}:

1\. *The Ratio that the Total Number of Children in the IV-D Caseload in
the FY or, at the option of the State, as of the end of the FY, who have
been Born Out of Wedlock, the Paternity of Whom has been Established or
Acknowledged, Bears to the Total Number of Children in the IV-D Caseload
as of the end of the preceding FY who were Born Out-of-Wedlock*

(Statutory Caseload Paternity Establishment Percentage)

2\. *The Ratio that the Total Number of Minor Children who have been
Born Out-of-Wedlock and for whom Paternity has been Established or
Acknowledged during the FY, bears to the Total Number of Children Born
Out-of-Wedlock during the preceding FY*

> *(Statutory Statewide Paternity Establishment Percentage)*

3\. *The Percentage of Children in the IV-D Caseload with Paternity
Resolved*

4\. *The Percentage of Children Born Out of Wedlock with Voluntary
Paternity Acknowledgments*

GOAL 2: ALL CHILDREN IN IV-D CASES HAVE FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT
ORDERS

[Objective]{.underline}:

a\. **To Increase the Percentage of IV-D Cases with Orders for Financial
Support**

[Indicator]{.underline}:

1\. *The Percentage of IV-D Cases with Support Orders*

(Statutory Support Order Performance Level)

[Objective]{.underline}:

b\. **To Increase the Percentage of IV-D Cases with Orders for Medical
Support**

[Indicator]{.underline}:

1\. *The Percentage of IV-D Cases with Medical Support Orders*

Objective:

d.  **To Increase the Percentage of Interstate IV-D Cases with Orders
    for Support**

Indicator:

3.  *The Percentage of Interstate IV-D Cases with Orders for Support*

GOAL 3: ALL CHILDREN IN IV-D CASES RECEIVE FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT
FROM PARENTS AS ORDERED

[Objective]{.underline}:

a\. **To Increase the IV-D Collection Rate**

[Indicators]{.underline}:

1\. *Total Dollar Amount Collected and Distributed in IV-D Cases*

4.  *IV-D Collection Rate for Current Support*

> (Statutory Current Payment Performance Level)

3\. *Percentage of IV-D Cases with Orders Where Some Child Support is
Paid*

4\. *Percentage of Arrears Cases with a Collection on the Arrears.
(Statutory Arrearage Payment Performance Level)*

[Objective]{.underline}:

b\. **To Increase the Percentage of IV-D Cases Where Medical Support Is
Obtained After Being Ordered**

[Indicator]{.underline}:

2.  *Percentage of IV-D Cases Where Health Insurance is Provided as
    Ordered*

Objective:

**c. To Increase the Collections on Interstate IV-D Cases**

Indicator:

1\. The Percentage of Interstate IV-D Cases with Collections

GOAL 4: THE IV-D PROGRAM WILL BE EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE IN ITS
OPERATIONS

[Objective:]{.underline}

c.  To make the program more efficient

[Indicator:]{.underline}

1\. *Total Dollars Collected per \$1 of Expenditures*

(Statutory Cost-Effectiveness Performance Level)

*2, Placeholder for Future Cost Avoidance Indicator*

[Objective:]{.underline}

d.  To make the program more responsive

[Indicators]{.underline}:

*1. Children First Survey*

2\. *Survey of State Child Support Programs\' Satisfaction with Federal
Performance*

3\. *Survey of State Child Support Programs' Satisfaction with Other
States' Responsiveness on Interstate Cases*