National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Jackie Scharping, Director

Bureau of Child Support

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant and Evaluation

8 grants awarded to child support programs for demonstration

Stanislaus Co, CA, CO, IA, Stark Co, OH, SC, TN, TX and WI

Companion funding opportunity Independent third party evaluator for all sites Cooperative agreement with a single state child support agency

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant Section 1115 Grant

Experimental, pilot or demonstrative projects which must:

Improve financial well-being of children or improve program

No modifications to cause disadvantage

No increased cost to federal government

5 year initiative

Planning, program work, close-out

$2.26 million with federal match

dcf.wisconsin.gov

Goals:

Improve reliable payment, improve child well-being and avoid dependency on public assistance programs

Examine effect on child support through employment services provided through the CS program and related outcomes including benefits and costs of employment services to NCPs

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Background:

70% of unpaid CS debt is owed by NCPs with no or low reported earnings

Barriers Limited education, Incarceration (past or present), Abuse issues, and Limited access to transportation

Perception: CS Program is a threat

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Experience

Two programs with success:

New York “Strengthening Families through Stronger Fathers” 3 year program serving 3700 NCPs 22% earned more; 38% more in CS paid than comparison

group Texas “NCP Choices”

47% more often; paid $57 more/mo; 51% increase in total collections

NCPs paid 50% more in CS than comparison group and continued to pay more and more consistently over time

CPs less likely to receive TANF benefits

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Target population:

1,000 to 1,500 NCPs who are not regularly paying child support or expected to have trouble making payments due to irregular employment

Half randomly assigned to “treatment” or “funded” group

Half assigned to “control” group for services as usual

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Required components of grant

Comprehensive case management by CSA workers

Coordinating services to overcome barriers to ensure full participation

Developing customized service plans and provide individualized assistance

Referrals to other agencies/programs and follow-up to ensure they receive those services

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Required components of grant

Comprehensive case management by CSA workers

Setting or revising CSOs to be realistic and hold NCPs

accountable to those amountsIntense monitoring and early intervention to provide steady,

reliable payments (income withholding)Consideration/suspension of certain enforcement methodsExpedited review processAssisting with application to other services/benefits not part of the

projectScreen and monitor for family violenceCase tracking and data entry

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Required components of grantPartnerships

Employment Services Job search assistance Job readiness training Job placement and retention to NCP and employers with re-

employment immediately following job loss Fatherhood Activities

Promote responsible parenting and effective co-parenting Strong peer support Curriculum must be approved by OCSE

Domestic violence plan Safety is top priority Referrals to treat NCPs with tendencies of violent behavior and assist

parents and children who are victims Screening tool for intake process Curriculum must be approved by OCSE

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

WISCONSIN’S SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS

ConsiderationsCourt orders entered in 2011 with no payment within the last six months

350 qualified participants per yearVariety of factors

CF Program Unemployment rate Capacity of employment and fatherhood services

Brown & Kenosha Counties judiciary on board position availability 125 participants/yr

Voluntary vs. court ordered placement Nationally court ordered placements are more successful

Contacts made with each service agency to obtain letters of support

dcf.wisconsin.gov

National NCP Employment Demonstration Grant

Implementation/Planning

Hiring key staff at state and local levels

2.5 positions @ BCS & 1 position/BPM

.5 position @ each county

Secure contracts/agreements with counties and service agencies

Assemble various committees at state and local levels

Development of Program Policy and Monitoring

Development of staff and sites

Curriculum and training

dcf.wisconsin.gov

SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS

Evaluation

Purpose: Provide actionable information through rigorous evaluation about effectiveness, benefits and costs of NCP employment programs through CSAs

Institute for Research on Poverty (UW) Long standing relationship with Child Support Working with all 8 sites Work closely with state and local staff to:

Ensure adequate numbers Treatment and control groups maintain differences

dcf.wisconsin.gov

SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS

LONG TERM GOAL?

Proof of success could lead to expansion to entire state and use as model nationally.

dcf.wisconsin.gov

SUPPORTING PARENTS SUPPORTING KIDS