dcl9726.htm

DCL-97-26

May 19, 1997

TO: ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: State Improvement Project Proposals

Dear Colleague:

We are attaching guidance for the submittal of State improvement project proposals and the criteria the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) will use to review and approve these projects.

As noted in the attached guidance, OCSE sponsored two retreats in February 1997 -- one, convened the Technical Assistance Workgroup, consisting of Federal and State representatives, to develop national technical assistance plans based on a national needs assessment survey; the other, was held for "Big 8" States to describe barriers that impede performance, highlight best practices and create innovative projects.

In follow-up of these technical assistance efforts and State feedback, we have developed guidance for a new initiative regarding the submittal and review process for State improvement project proposals. As you know, there is a process for States to apply for the funding of Section 1115 demonstration projects. In addition, the newly established Technical Assistance Request (TAR) process is designed for States to use the expertise of OCSE Central Office components along with Regional Office and other expertise to provide specific technical assistance such as on-site assistance, conference planning/support, training and technology transfer. The attached guidance provides you with flexibility for developing improvement projects that you may want to initiate but do not conform with these other mechanisms.

Proposals for improvement projects can be State-specific, joint, regional or "Big 8" State initiatives to meet common needs, that interface with broader goals concerning improvements in the financial and emotional security of the nation's children and families.

Although there has been no change in the rules that apply to funding projects or work requirements, funding for these State improvement projects is pending passage of "The Welfare Technical Corrections Act of 1997" (HR 1048). If these amendments are passed by Congress as proposed, we will have more flexibility for funding these types of projects. If passage comes, we want to be ready to address a number of projects in a short period of time and encourage you to use the attached guidance to submit your requests early.

One percent Technical Assistance funds are being utilized, in the interim, to provide technical assistance to all States through various mechanisms including national technical assistance and training initiatives, the TAR process mentioned above, the Big 8 strategy and Regional Office technical assistance efforts.

For the State improvement project proposals, OCSE will convene a panel of experts, including OCSE Central Office and Regional Office staff, and appropriate subject areas experts, to review the proposal within 30 days of date received in OCSE Central Office. OCSE will negotiate with States to submit additional information, if needed, for approval during the initial 30 day review period. After these negotiations, within 10 days of panel approval, an approval letter will be sent to the State(s). If the project does not seem doable, OCSE will alert the State(s) as soon as possible upon receipt of the proposal to work out alternative methods to assist the State(s).

We plan to keep States informed of approved projects through various mechanisms including notification to our Regional Offices as each project is approved, our bi-monthly conference calls with IV-D Directors and an annual announcement highlighting these projects.

We are very excited about offering States another opportunity to work in partnership to help make measurable improvements that will enhance our efforts in the nation's Child Support Enforcement program and help achieve national performance goals. If you have any questions, regarding this guidance, please contact your respective Regional Office, Marion N. Steffy for Big 8 States at (312) 353-0166, or Susan Greenblatt, with OCSE's Technical Assistance Branch, at 202-401-4849.

Sincerely,

Anne F. Donovan

Acting Deputy Director

Office of Child Support Enforcement

STATE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PROPOSALS

BACKGROUND: The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is committed to helping States make measurable program improvements that will enhance the lives of children.

As part of this commitment, OCSE sponsored two retreats in February 1997. One, convened the Technical Assistance Workgroup, consistingof Federal and State representatives, to develop national technical assistance plans based on State feedback from a recent national needs assessment survey. Thirty-nine States responded to the needs assessment survey. As a result of these plans, OCSE is working on developing national technical assistance strategies including the dissemination of information, sharing of best practices, conference planning and other ways to address many of these State identified needs. In addition, Regional and Central Office staff have been working with States to provide State-specific assistance.

The other was held for "Big 8" States, as a result of OCSE's commitment to work with the eight States with the largest child support caseloads to increase their paternity establishment and child support collection rates. This initiative is guided by the vision and goals reflected in the national strategic plan that: all children have parentage established, all children in IV-D cases have financial and medical orders and all children receive financial and medical support. A key activity to achieve those strategic goals was the implementation of this initiative to increase the performance in the eight States having 50 % of the nation's caseload. A "Big 8" workgroup, of Federal and State representatives, has been established to describe barriers that impede performance, highlight best practices and create innovative projects.

In follow-up of the above efforts, we are providing guidance to facilitate submittal of State improvement project proposals and provide project approval criteria.

Proposals for improvement projects can be State-specific, joint, Regional or "Big 8" State initiatives to meet common needs, that interface with broader goals concerning improvements in the financial, emotional and security of the nation's children and families.

FUNDING: Section 345 (a) of P.L. 104-193 provided funds for technical assistance, information dissemination and training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs and special projects of regional or national significance. Funds are appropriated each fiscal year and the amounts made available shall remain available until expended. Section 345 (b) provided funds for the operation of Federal Parent Locator Service which are also appropriated each fiscal year. These new monies, combined with other funding streams encourage improvements in the operations of the Child Support Enforcement program.

MAILING ADDRESS: All States should submit their proposals to their respective Regional Administrators, ACF and the Big 8 States should also submit theirs to Marion N. Steffy, Performance Initiative, 105 W. Adams, 23rd floor, Chicago, Il 60603. Regional Offices will forward a copy of the proposal to OCSE Central Office for panel review and approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Regional Offices as notedabove.

DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSALS: The State agency should submit a project design which includes the following:

Describe the Problem: Include narrative about the background, extent of the problem, e.g. number of cases affected, specific county(s) affected; impact analysis, e.g. who/what is affected by the problem, and how it impedes performance. Please add details as to the significance of the problem from your perspective.

Describe Project Design: The State's proposal should reflect a results oriented plan which outlines goals/objectives and tasks to be accomplished.

oDescribe how project goals/objectives reflect national OCSE

priorities as outlined in the OCSE Strategic Plan (1995-1999);

o Describe how the project would significantly impact our accomplishing national goals;

o Include narrative that clearly describes the tasks to be accomplished to meet the goals/objectives.

Describe Outcomes: Include narrative that describes what you specifically hope to achieve and how you plan to measure outcomes and/or determine overall project effectiveness.

Provide Budget Information: Include the total number of dollars estimated for the project and include Federal as well as non-Federal funding for the proposal.

o Indicate the period of time for which funding is requested.

o Provide a full explanation of costs necessary to accomplishing major tasks. Provide details and justification.

o Provide details about non-Federal resources which will be dedicated to the project; i.e., State funds, community resources, other program (TANF/HS) funds, etc.

Describe Management Structure: Include the management and staffing allocation, as well as their general roles and responsibilities to support the project.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

OCSE will use the following criteria to recommend approval of State proposals. During the review process OCSE will negotiate with States to submit additional information, if needed; or to offer alternative assistance if a determination is made that wecan't fund the proposal.

1) Project is innovative (i.e., will implement or expand upon relatively new approaches/strategies).

2) Project goals are consistent with the National OCSE mission, vision and goals as outlined in OCSE Strategic Plan (1995-1999) and project should have significant impact in helping accomplish national goals (all children to have parentage established; all children in IV-D cases have financial and medical orders; and all children receive financial and medical support.)

3) The project plan outlines goals/objectives and tasks to be accomplished. Project methodology is presented logically within the framework of the goals and tasks to be accomplished.

4) Project provides adequate management structure/State support to achieve objectives/goals. For example, proposed management and staffing levels are sufficient to effectively carry out objectives.

5) Proposal provides assessment strategy for determining overall project effectiveness relating to proposed outcomes.

6) Project provides a budget plan, reflecting reasonable costs to achieve program objectives/tasks.