April 2024 CSQ

innovative solutions. I attended sessions that covered topics such as
leadership development, data analytics, customer service,
intergovernmental cooperation, and diversity and inclusion. I also had the
chance to network with other attendees and exchange ideas and
perspectives on various issues and challenges facing the child support
community. The symposium was a valuable learning and networking
opportunity for me, and I left feeling inspired and motivated to apply what I
learned to my own work.
On November 29, 2023, the House Committee on Ways and Means’ Joint
Work and Welfare and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing on
“Strengthening the Child Support Enforcement Program for States and
Tribes,” the first congressional hearing on the child support program since
2001. While NCSEA did not directly provide testimony, all the testimony
was provided by NCSEA members. The hearing was an important
opportunity to present views and recommendations on the federal child
support program and to highlight the achievements and challenges of state,
local, and tribal child support agencies. The testimony was well-received by
the Subcommittee members and generated constructive dialogue on how
to improve and strengthen the child support system.
My first year with NCSEA began drawing to a close with an incredibly
productive 2024 Policy Forum in Washington, DC, in February. The forum
was a platform for NCSEA members to engage with policymakers,
stakeholders, and partners on the federal, state, and local levels. The
Policy Forum featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and
networking events, covering a wide range of topics such as child support
enforcement, family-centered services, child poverty, child well-being, and
child support innovation. I had the opportunity to meet and connect with
many influential and knowledgeable people, including Congressional staff,
other federal officials, state administrators, attorneys, researchers, and
advocates. The Policy Forum was a fantastic way to wrap up my first year
with NCSEA and positively set the stage for 2024.
In closing, my first year with NCSEA has been a remarkable and fulfilling
one. Looking back, I have learned so much, met a lot of people, and, I
hope, contributed positively to the association and the child support