Tribal Child Support Enforcement… Why Bother? National Tribal

Tribal Child Support Enforcement Why Bother? National Tribal Child Support Associ ation

It’s All About the Children! Tribal Child Support Programs assist families in obtaining and maintaining selfsufficiency through: Paternity Establishment Establishment and Enforcement of child support orders.

Introduction The 1996 welfare reform included many changes to the child support arena. The most important change was the inclusion of funding available to Tribes to establish and operate their own child support programs.

Why Would You Want Your Own Program? Tribal children often do not receive adequate or fair child support services; Parents often do not receive adequate or fair services; Operating your own program gives your government jurisdiction in child support related issues; Having your own program means it will be culturally sensitive and easily accessible to your Tribal members.

Benefits There are many benefits to having your own Tribal Child Support Agency (TCSA). Benefit # 1 Paternity Establishment ensures inheritance rights of children and accurate Tribal enrollment. Benefit # 2 Tribal Court Jurisdiction allows more authority and flexibility in how cases are handled.

Benefits (cont.) Benefit # 3 Tribes have the authority to withhold from Tribal enterprises and/or per capita payments. Benefit # 4 Increased financial responsibility of parents means less reliance on Tribal program funds.

The Greatest Benefits are for the Children. Sons and daughters will know who their father is; Children will be assured food in their stomachs and a warm bed to sleep in at night; All children deserve to be financially and emotionally supported by both parents.

Funding Source Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is the funding source for Tribal Child Support Enforcement programs.

How Does my Tribe Qualify for Funding? There is Direct Interim Funding available if your Tribe is currently operating their own child support program. Then why would we want federal dollars? To expand or improve your program; Having Tribal IV-D status provides more opportunities for resources.

Direct Federal Funds By late 2003 or early 2004, the Final Regulations will be published. If your Tribe does not have an existing child support program, this funding will include start-up costs to assist your Tribe in establishing your own tribal program.

What regulations come with the funding? Your program must be able to meet 5 primary mandates: Establishment of Paternity Establishment of Child Support Orders Enforcement of Child Support Orders Modification of Child Support Orders Location of Absent Parents

A Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program is NOT just a Collection Agency We are here to assist families with Tribal children obtain and maintain self-sufficiency, provide information, education and quality customer service.

It’s for the Children Every child has a right to know who their father is; Every child has a right to be financially and emotionally supported by both parents.

For More Information: Please attend the other workshops offered at this conference: Impact on Tribal Infrastructure and Preparation for Funding; Assessing Tribal Infrastructure Tribal Child Support 101 Grant Management IV-A / IV-D Collaboration Applying for Direct Funding Tribal Child Support: Roundtable Discussion

Contact Information: Jerry Sweet / Chickasaw Nation Martha Renville / Sisseton-Wahpeton 605-698-7131 Tami Lorbecke / Chickasaw Nation 580-310-6009 918-272-6909 Kate Christnot / OCSE 202-401-4842