2001 annual report: Office of Child Support Enforcement

Commissioner's Message
The Department of Human Resources proudly presents the annual report of Georgia's Child Support Enforcement activities during FY 2001. Georgia not only remains in the national forefront in the collection of child support, but also continues to focus on the broader needs of children.
During the spring, I was privileged to serve on the Child Support Commission at the request of Governor Barnes. The Child Support program shoulders a great responsibility in bettering the lives of over 670,000 Georgia children. I am proud of the innovative efforts of Georgia's Office of Child Support Enforcement.
Highlighted topics in the FY 2001 report include: A $42 million increase in collections Enhancing the Georgia Paternity Acknowledgement
Program to increase the number of children with established paternity at birth. The Georgia Fatherhood Program was highlighted at the 2001 International Fatherhood
Conference for its leadership in the Fatherhood movement. Providing quality training for new and veteran CSE staff through a contract with the University of
Georgia.
These accomplishments obviously reflect a staff dedicated to ensuring that children have the benefit of, at minimum, their parents' financial support and, at best, their parents' commitment of time, love, and guidance,
We wish to thank our many community partners who have contributed to Georgia's success in helping children and families.
Dr..:....~~y_ a~-~artin, Commissioner
Georgia Department of Human Resources

"Child Support Enforcement pays more to clients than all of public assistance. We collected $452 million during FY2001 for the benefit of Georgia children"
Kale Pjirll1an Deputy Commissioner

Deputy
Commissioner's Message
I am pleased to share with you the Office of Child Support Enforcement Annual Report for FY 2001. The program's expansion and achievements highlighted in this report illustrate the hard work, strategic planning and
accomplishments of Georgia's Child Support Enforcement
program. In recognition of the importance of the Child Support
program, the Department of Human Resources has elevated it to Office status. The Office of Child Support Enforcement is critical to many families in helping them
remain self-sufficient.
Other highlights during the past year include:
Serving over 670,431 Georgia children Collecting over $1.2 million per day for Georgia children Helping 346,559 custodial parents remain self-sufficient.
We are proud of what we have accomplished this past year, but as long as one child is doing without, we know the job is not finished. The dedication and commitment of the OCSE staff is in bettering the lives of Georgia's children is evident in the state's increasing collections and new program initiatives. Through Georgia's innovative child support program, we continue to assist parents in meeting their mutual responsibilities to their children and increase family self-sufficiency.
Kate Pfirman, Deputy Commissioner Georgia Department of Human Resources

Supporting Our Children

( 7 f II children need emotional and financial support
/ 1 . . from both their father and mother. Georgia's Child
Support Enforcement program works to benefit children by
enforcing the parental responsibility to pay financial support. This helps to promote and enhance family self-sufficiency and
stability as well as reducing the public burden of supporting financially abandoned children. The child support services offered by 80 offices across Georgia help children receive the support they deserve.
Georgia collected S452 million in child support for the
benefit of more than 670,431 children during FY 2001. This
was an increase of SA2 million over FY 2000. During the year, OCSE expanded the Fatherhood Program
by contracting with a variety of community and faith-based agencies. These organizations already provide the services that many Fatherhood participants need to overcome barriers such as substance abuse and criminal backgrounds.
Other innovative programs that QCSE continues to offer include specialized training for new and veteran staff, offering direct deposit of child support payments to custodial parents, and the Child Access and Visitation Program for non-custodial parents who wish to visit their children.
Georgia is recognized as a national child support enforcement leader thanks to the commitment of people devoted to children, families and the child support program. Despite these efforts, many children are not receiving the support they need. We will continue to work to strengthen enforcement laws and enhance our services to collect more support for Georgia children.
Please take the time to review the FY 2001 Georgia Office of Child Support Enforcement Annual Report for more specific information concerning our program.

"Child Support worllers are the unsung heroes of welfare reform. I thanll and will continue to thanll the entire Child Support stafffor their dedication and hard WOr/I."
- Governor Roy Barnes

Collecting Child Support

Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) services are available to Georgia parents who need assistance. The custodial parent may apply at the OCSE office that serves their county. There is a one-time fee of $25. The custodial parent is asked to furnish legal documents, if available, and information about the non-custodial parent.
Child Support services include:
locating non-custodial parents Establishing paternity Establishing and enforcing child support orders Establishing and enforcing medical support orders Collecting and distributing support payments

Collection and Enforcement Tools Available to OCSE:
Withholding child support from paychecks or unemployment benefits
Intercepting federal and/or state income tax refunds to pay child support arrears
Garnishing worker's compensation benefits
Reporting parents who owe more than $1,000 in child support payments to credit bureaus
Suspending or revoking driver's, professional or occupational licenses for failure to pay child support
Reviewing and modifying child support orders periodically
Intercepting lottery winnings of more than
$5,000
Filing contempt of court actions which may result in a jail sentence if the non-custodial parent is found in contempt of court
Filing liens and levy on tangible/intangible property
Seizing matched bank accounts after notice

Fatherhood Program Expands to

Help More Georgia Families

~e Fatherhood Program, created in 1997 by the Office of Child Support Enforcement, works with non-custodial parents who are
supposed to be paying their child support through
OCSE and are unable to pay. Gainful, stable employment enables these parents to provide regular financial support for their children. The program expanded statewide in November 1998.
OCSE has contracted with the Department of Technical and Adult Education to provide job training and job placement through the state's 36 technical schools. This makes the Fatherhood Program available within SO miles of every non-custodial parent in Georgia.
Participants study in fields such as carpentry, computer repair, automotive repair and welding. Classes on life coping skills such as how to interview for a job, retain employment and manage finances are offered. Also provided are classes to strengthen parenting skills, learn about child development and explore ways to be more involved in their children's lives.
Many participants have barriers such as substance abuse problems or a criminal background that prevent them from maintaining employment. OCSE is not equipped to address these issues and has contracted with other agencies, educational institutions and community groups to provide the necessary services.

Facts About Fatherhood Program:
The program generally takes three months to complete.
Participants are required to work at least 20
hours per week while enrolled in the program.
Participants are required to pay child support during this time.
Upon completion of the program, participants receive assistance in obtaining full-time employment, earning a wage that they can live on and pay their child support.
Taxpayer Savings:
Decreased Medicaid cost. Non-custodial parents are required to obtain medical insurance through their employer if available at a reasonable cost.
Decreased enforcement costs. Employer withholding of support payments eliminates the need for enforcement action.
Decreased incarceration cost. Because judges now have a new sentencing alternative to jail, taxpayers save the estimated $SO per day cost of housing an inmate.
Decreased need for custodial parents to depend on TANF and other government services.
Employer and Community Benefits:
Increased employment benefits the local economy.
Reduction in the rate of repeat pregnancies by young participants.
Local employers are finding new sources of skilled labor, which is often in short supply.

Judicial Support:
Judges now have a new alternative to jail for parents who are unable to pay their child support.

Georgia Commission on Child Support Reports to the Governor

Cfle Georgia Commission on Child Support was created by Executive Order of the Governor, dated May 8, 2001, for a term ending July 1, 2001. Federal regulations require states to review their child support guidelines every
four years. This Commission was charged with the responsibility of studying guidelines and offering recommendations to the Governor.
The Commission was composed of twenty-six members with diverse professional experiences and viewpoints. This diversity created a lively forum for discussion of child support guidelines.
Representatives of the bench, legislature, child support agencies, academia, the family bar, and advocacy groups (Association of Children for the Enforcement of Support, and Fathers Are Parents, Too), all participated as members. Justice Carol W.

Hunstein served as chairperson for the Commission. The Commission met weekly for six weeks and
received testimony from individuals during two public hearings in Atlanta and Tifton. letters from citizens were received and reviewed. Many writings, reports, journal articles and presentation materials were obtained and considered by the Commission. A survey was sent to all Superior Court judges, Juvenile Court judges, and Office of State Administrative Hearings administrative law judges. Additionally, surveys were sent to members of the Family law Section of the State Bar of Georgia attending the annual meeting, IVD attorneys, and legal Aid attorneys.
The Commission provided a forum to study and debate the issues of child support and the effect these issues have on so many of the citizens of Georgia.

Demographics Tell Interesting Story about the Fathers We Serve

Snce the beginning of the Fatherhood Program, OCSE has realized how important it is to maintain data about the program and its participants. The information serves to guide program management as to what is not working and what issues need to be addressed. Dr. Theresa Ann Sipe, Ph.D. of Georgia State University has served as the Fatherhood Program's evaluator since its inception. She is assisted by Danielle Ruedt, MPH.
Based on information collected during 2000, Fatherhood Program participants statewide:
Average age is 31 years old 93 percent are male 92 percent are African American 42 percent have no high school diploma or
GED 80 percent are not married 52 percent are obligated to support one child 48 percent are obligated to support two or
more children 14 percent have received treatment for
substance abuse (This figure is probably higher because this figure is self-reporting) Transportation
Suspended or no driver's license - 32 percent
Do not own a car - 43 percent S6 percent have a criminal record
Felony conviction - 31 percent Spent time in jail. 46 percent Been in jail for failure to pay child
support 19 percent On probation/parole - 33 percent
Many Fatherhood participants face multiple barriers which prevent them from obtaining and

keeping stable employment that pays enough for them to live on and pay their court ordered child support. The major barriers for these men include:
Criminal record Alcohol and substance abuse problems Mental health issues Transportation problems
Child Support Enforcement realizes that addressing these barriers is critical to expanding the success of the program to more low-income fathers. OCSE is working to establish new partnerships with Public Health, Mental Health and community-based groups to address the problems of substance abuse and mental health issues such as depression and rage. Substance abuse is a significant barrier for many participants to attaining and maintaining employment. Many people believe that the family is the strength of the community, and the communities of our state deserve strong fathers to continue to establish Georgia as a leader and role model for the nation.

Governor Roy E. Barnes Proclaimed June As Fatherhood Month in Georgia

(I.{) State Fatherhood Consultant Robert /01111S011, OCSE Family Services Unit Mmmger, Gail Moon, OCSE Director Robert Riddle, Dio/me Veale of the DeKalb Fatherhood Initiative Network, Govemor Roy E. Hames, State Fatherhood Mal/ager Frances Barry, Jacqueline 10111150/1 and Gary Driggers both ofthe OCSE Family Services Unit and Frank Bales of tile Georgia Departl1lellt of Tecllllical al1d Ad"lt Education.

International Conference Highlights Georgia Program

rne Georgia Fatherhood Program shone brightly in the glare and glitter of the international spotlight as delegates from 14 countries gathered in Atlanta May 2830, 2001 to attend the third annual International Fatherhood Conference. The Washington, D.C.-based National Center for Strategic Nonprofit Planning and Community leadership (NPCl) sponsored the event that was attended by over 1,200 people. One of the deciding factors in locating the 2001 conference in Atlanta was the national reputation of the Georgia Fatherhood Program.

The goal of the conference was to engage the private and public sectors in working toward creating
a society, both nationally and internationally, that truly values the plight of children who deserve both a
father and a mother involved in their lives. The conference provided a means to demonstrate
a commitment to focusing on the future of fatherhood by providing guidance and tools for learning to help individuals become more independent and responsible parents and service prOViders. The Georgia Fatherhood Program was featured in a track of six workshops that highlighted a different component of the program.

OCSE Partners with other Agencies and Community Groups

OCSE has developed a comprehensive approach to the support of children in the state. While collection of child support payments on behalf of children remains the central focus, new efforts have been designed to increase the capacity of non-custodial parents
to both earn money and to improve upon their ability to be parents to their children. Most of the non-custodial parents who do not support their children represent a multitude of different circumstances ranging from lack of education and
training, unemployment, substance abuse, disability, and those who simply do not intend to
provide support.
Program Serves Incarcerated Fathers
More than 200,000 Georgia children have a father who is either in prison, on parole or on probation. Surveys of the incarcerated population in Georgia indicated that 92 percent of inmates have one or more children and that a significant number of offenders lack sufficient skills to obtain and keep a job. The Fatherhood Initiative for Parolees Program is a collaboration of OCSE, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Georgia Department of Labor and the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. The main objective of the program is to provide comprehensive employment and training services through the Fatherhood program to non-custodial fathers who are currently under the supervision of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Faith-based Partnership Helps Fulton County Fathers
OCSE has partnered with the faith community by establishing a contract with the Father's Resource Center in southwest Atlanta. The center

is a community initiative of Providence Learning Center and Development Corporation that has ties to Providence Missionary Baptist Church. The goal of the Fathers Resource Center is to increase the awareness and responsibility level of men in their roles as fathers and to provide the parental skills needed to impact themselves and the lives of their children.
The Atlanta Project Joins the Fatherhood Effort
In order to assist the noncustodial parents who experience the lack of a clear understanding of Georgia child support laws, OCSE entered into a contract with the Georgia State University Research Foundation and the Atlanta Project to prOVide seminars, during non-traditional hours, for education and detailed information on all aspects of child support laws. Under this contract, no legal service or representation will be provided.
Partnerships with GSU Utilizes Social Workers
One of the biggest issues facing the Fatherhood Program is the failure of many of the non custodial parents referred to the program to attend or complete the program. An independent study performed by Georgia State University determined that many of these men suffer from multiple barriers. Prominent on the list is psychological problems such as depression, rage, and thoughts of suicide. Alcoholism was another significant problem that the study revealed. OCSE has contracted with GSU to proVide services to noncustodial parents facing these barriers. Two full-time Master's level social workers cover the state. These social workers evaluate individual situations and refer the participant to the appropriate program and services in their community.

Atlanta Falcons Team Up With OCSE to
Promote Responsible Fatherhood

f](;iS past year, the images of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler, cornerback Ray Buchanan and linebacker Jessie Tuggle were not just featured in the usual local newspapers, magazines and television sportscasts. Each player was highlighted in another of their roles - as fathers.
Chandler, Buchanan and Tuggle are the official spokespersons for Child Support Enforcement's statewide responsible fatherhood campaign. Their images appear on billboards and posters in cities across the state. The billboards remain up throughout the year courtesy of Eller Media.
The Atlanta Falcons have joined the effort by teaming up through the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation with Child Support Enforcement, WAGATV Fox 5 in Atlanta and Eller Media in sponsoring the statewide media campaign featuring the three players and their children.

The Responsible Fatherhood Campaign is part of a nationwide joint venture of the National Football league and the National Child Support Enforcement Association. Organizers of the campaign want to get the attention of young teen fathers who emulate the behavior of a responsible father who is present daily and supporting the financial and emotional well being of their children.

liThe Father's Side" Video Airs on GPTV

OCSE contracted with Georgia Public Broadcasting to produce a 3D-minute video about the Georgia Fatherhood Program. "The Father's Side" is the title of the new video. The project was shown on Georgia Public Television on Father's Day, June 17, 2001. The program was seen in over 111,000 Georgia homes.
In documentary style, the video profiles three Fatherhood participants who face different barriers to employment, such as lack of transportation, criminal backgrounds and substance abuse problems. A film crew spent time with each participant at home, on the job, at church, in class, and with their children.

The goal of this project is to highlight the participants and the changes their involvement with the Fatherhood Program has brought to their lives and the lives of their children.

Child Support Hotline Busiest in State Government

T

e OCSE Hotline began operation on September 1, 1986 with one line to serve as a central point of information and a

clearinghouse for problem solving. Today, with 20

lines (five toll-free lines and 15 local Atlanta lines), the

OCSE Hotline handles more calls than any other

hotline operating in Georgia state government.

In FY2001, the OCSE Hotline:
Received 2,012,849 phone calls Enabled 88,311 callers to speak to one of our
customer service specialists Received 49 percent of all calls made to the ten
state operated hotlines combined
Automated information is available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Clients calling the OCSE Hotline may select the option of speaking to an operator located in the Customer Service Unit. There are 10 customer service specialists available to answer questions or assist with problems.
The Customer Service Unit is open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday - Friday. Customer service specialists are available during this time.
The bulk of the questions received by the Customer Service Unit are for:
Payment information Requests for enforcement

To access the OCSE Hotline:
Call 800-227-7993 if you live in the 229, 478, 706 or 912 area codes.
Call 404-657-2780 if you live in the 404, 678, 470 or 770 area codes.
The OCSE Hotline is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for state holidays. The Hotline is accessible only to Georgia callers.

Child Support in Cyberspace
http://www.cse.dhr.state.ga.us
Child Support Enforcement joined other Georgia government agencies in cyberspace on August 1, 1996 with a World Wide Web home page on the Internet. OCSE can now provide up-to-date child support information to a worldwide audience in less time, and at a fraction of the cost of using traditional printing and distribution methods.
Internet users can access a wide range of child support information on the site, including an application for services and Georgia's current Most Wanted poster. By simply clicking a button, custodial parents can print out and complete the application before their first visit.

Direct Deposit of Child Support Payments Now Available
f j )irect Deposit allows custodial parents to receive their child support payments in the most convenient and safest way possible. With Direct Deposit, child support payments are sent directly to the custodial parent's checking account electronically. They no longer have to wait on the mail for their check and then make a trip to the bank. Over 9,800 Georgia parents have taken advantage of this new service. Eligibility:
All custodial parents who receive a child support check are eligible for this service. The custodial parent must have a checking account at a local bank.
A Direct Deposit packet can be requested by calling the Child Support Hotline or by picking one up at a local OCSE office. The custodial parent must complete the Authorization for Direct Deposit Agreement and return it in the pre-addressed envelope provided.
EASY

New Training Program Helps Staff be their Best
. 9 [ew training program was introduced in July 1999 for OCSE employees hich focuses on meeting the job related knowledge needs of newly hired or recently promoted OCSE staff. In order to provide the best quality training available, OCSE contracted with the University of Georgia through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Vinson Institute faculty conducts the training.
The OCSE New Employee Training consists of seven training modules that range from two to fOUf days each. Modules include:
Overview of OCSE and Caseload
Management Intake/Case Registration/Locate Establishment
Enforcement Financial Interstate Review and Modification
During the past year, 219 OCSE employees have participated in new employee training. Additionally, 287 OCSE staff attended training for veteran employees who have been employed with OCSE for two or more years.
The implementation of supervisory training and an Agent certification program are planned for the fall of 2001.

Contract Awarded for In-Hospital Paternity Acknowledgement Program

ternity Establishment is a necessary first step for obtaining child support in cases where a child is born out-ot-wedlock. In addition to child support, there are other potential benefits to establishing paternity, including having two parents with whom the child can establish an emotional relationship, and it may be easier for the child to receive social security benefits from the father, if needed. The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA '93) reformed the child support enforcement program to increase the performance standards for both the number of paternities established for children born out-ot-wedlock and the timeliness with which paternity establishment is accomplished. One major provision of OBRA '93 was the requirement that States have laws providing for voluntary paternity establishment services at birthing hospitals stateWide. In mandating these changes, Congress cited a number of statistical findings relating to the need for paternity establishment. In 1970, 10 percent of all live births were to unmarried women. By 1996, the percentage of births to unmarried women increased to approximately 30 percent. In calendar year 1999, Georgia State Vital Records reported:
126,495 live births 46,267 were born to unwed parents (37%) 25,497 of the 46,267 unwed live births signed
VPA forms (55%). This has increased from approximately 40 percent since 1997. Currently, birthing hospitals throughout the State of Georgia are administering the voluntary paternity acknowledgements (VPA) program. Unwed parents are given the opportunity to voluntarily acknowledge

paternity by signing a VPA. The hospital birth records clerk explains the rights and responsibilities related to the signing of the VPA. Once completed and signed in the presence of a witness, the VPA is forwarded to the State Vital Records Office in Atlanta where it is entered into the State Putative Father Registry. After signing the VPA, either party may cancel the acknowledgement within 60 days of signing or before there is a court order establishing paternity, whichever is first. The VPA may be completed and signed later at any local Vital Records office or at the State Vital Records Office in Atlanta.
There are many advantages to signing a VPA form at or near the time of birth.
The father's name will be placed on the child's birth certificate; therefore, the child will know who his parents are.
Two parents will be financially responsible for supporting the child.
The father will also have the right to be given notice in the event the child is ever put up for adoption.
The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) has recently contracted with Policy Studies, Inc. (PSI) to provide materials development, training, technical assistance, public outreach and quality assurance services to enhance the State's VPA program. Under this contract, hospital and Vital Records personnel will be provided detailed training in how to administer the program. A toll-free technical assistance line will be staffed with personnel who will be able to answer questions related to VPA. Public outreach materials including a video will be produced that will fully explain the program including, but not limited to, the rights, responsibilities and consequences of signing a VPA form. This program is a collaborative effort between OCSE and State Vital Records.

Family Support Registry Assures Timely Processing of Support Payments

provide the FSR with a listing of payments on a

elfare reform dictated that the

diskette. The goal is to improve the accuracy of

state centralize its collection of

the payment processing well above the required

child support payments at one

99.7 percent level.

location. OCSE created the Georgia Family

In terms of timeliness, the FSR met its same day

Support Registry (FSR) to fulfill this requirement.

processing requirement for payments. The FSR has

Lockheed IMS was selected through competitive

expanded its facilities and staff to assure that this

bids to serve as contractor for the project.

continues to be the case as the volume of work

During the past year:

increases.

3.7 million items were processed

$386.3 million in

support payments

were processed

$2.1 million were

processed by

electronic funds

transfer

1.9 million pieces

of mail were

processed 68,148 telephone
calls were received

Effective July 1, 1999 all payments must be mailed to:

83,987 items were
researched.
Most affected by the change were the

FAMILY SUPPORT REGISTRY P.O. BOX 105729
Atlanta, GA 30348-5729

state's 185,000 employers. They have

Make Payable to: CSE

cooperated fully with the Registry staff to
assure a smooth
transition. To further

Please Nole: Payments will be distributed based on the Social Security Number of the Non-Custodial Parent. It is VERY IMPORTANT TO PRINT ON THE FRONT OF EACH PAYMENT:

improve services, the

FSR now offers

employers the ability

to send payments

electronically or to

Access and Visitation Project Benefit
Children and Parents

esearch has shown that parental contact

is related to the payment of child support

and the father's involvement improves

development and self-esteem. OCSE

established the Child Access and Visitation Program

to help non-custodial parents who want to visit with

their children.

In June 2000, the Office of Child Support

Enforcement entered into four contracts with service

providers to expand Access and Visitation services

statewide. The visitation services provide non-legal

services and intervention on behalf of the non-

custodial parents referred to the program. The goal

is to improve non-custodial parents access and

visitation with their children. Services provided by

the project include:



Case assessment



Co-parenting education



Monitored visitation



Neutral drop-off and pick-up site

To be eligible for these services, a non-custodial

parent must have an active case with the Office of

Child Support Enforcement or MAXIMUS Child

Support Services. Income restrictions may apply.

Interested parents should contact their OCSE office

or Fatherhood Coordinator.

Georgia New Hire Reporting
Program Aids Locate Efforts
eorgia employers have a simple way to ssist with child support collections
through the Georgia New Hire
Reporting Program. Federal and state law
requires employers to report all new hires and
rehires to the state. OCSE has a contract with Policy Studies, Inc. (PSI) to operate the program in
Georgia. Employers must notify PSI within ten calendar
days of hiring an employee. The reporting can be done electronically via the Internet, disk or tape or non-electronically by form, list, phone or a copy of the new employee's W-4 form.
During FY 2001:
1,670,638 reports were made 64 percent were made electronically 89,317 Georgia employers made a report to the
program 44,513 out of state employers made a report to
the program. The employer must provide the employee's name, address, Social Security number and, when available, date of birth. The employer must also provide its own name, address and federal employer identification number on the report. OCSE staff use this information to quickly locate missing parents, match employees with support obligations and take appropriate steps to begin collecting support.

$1.2 Billion in Child Support Collected During Governor Barnes' Administration

Snce its inception in 1973, OCSE has collected $3.7 billion on behalf of children and families around the state. During the past year, collections topped $452 million. That equates to just over $1.2 million per calendar day for Georgia children.
Much of this increase can be attributed to welfare
reform, enforcement tools granted by the legislature in recent years, a statewide computer system, privatization initiatives and the dedication and commitment of OCSE employees across the state.

During FY 2001:
$451,977,227 in child support was collected Collections increased $42 million over FY 2000. $7.3 million was collected from intercepted state
tax funds
$36.3 million was collected from federal tax refunds.
$2.8 million was collected from unemployment compensation benefits
$63,605 was collected from lottery winnings $21.9 million in Non-IV-D payments by the
Financial Customer Service Unit

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... ,."..".. , C<>bb JC -UFSA
, EaAIm JIldicial CIrcuiI
'" .'.". ,,',". C?gMc/IM .bliclII CirWt
- - . ",.'"" .... , P-... JucIciIl CIrcuit . SII:IM t.lln. UFSA
,on ", Tlftoo Judio:iIIl Circuit
,... ."".,'.,...... ,... TdlDrI_TollDn , -
. "'"'''' .'.'.'-' .'". '" , T~ Judio:iIIl CIrcuiI
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-......- ....... ....--.C-att\
...... ....... ""'"" - MaimuI - CokIrnllu5
Muimla-F~
......-- ."."."" T..

1.000l 093

7.834.231

8.83&.

11.069

'.."..m'53

4.6135oW 10079,6:96

'.233 -W
10.726.

3011.282
....m

19962.366 5.973.406

6.91".1

,

,

7...,752

.. 303 710

000

1901,022

1669.696

11163 71

1.215

10047.S8lI

3.630.917

".878.

11111

5.161

1546.617 10067.7tM

11.61".321

10.120

1...."..170

6.515.9001

7980.07" 1.737

3.989.171



."

2,526.134

3.1"71

10..7111 73.0019.966

1"81"

",

32

350 11..
530,761

13.021,928 7.U7,231i 11.6&1.320 18.910 23 llO7.7304 7.s-i.311 79227.879

"12.747
"

"10.667
10.764

~
.., , "'" 5.615
'". "3.371
3.361

State Total Contract_orne T.... - . . T....
G~DTOTAL

50,110,2

Through the Looking Glass: Child Support in the Future

Change comes with the winds and the times. Change adds valuable experiences to our self-knowledge. It is what helps us cope with the good and the difficult times of
our lives. The Georgia Child Support Enforcement
program welcomes change for it is in change that
new opportunities for improvement are found. Here is a quick list of changes that may become a reality:
The OCSE Cyberspace Office
One day, an OCSE customer will access his or her case through the Internet from virtually any
place at any time. The inquirer will have protected
access to case status and payment information. Pay histories will be available for downloads. The
inquirer will leave and pick-up mail from OCSE assigned mailboxes. The OCSE Cyberspace office will break down the barriers of time and space.
Certified OCSE Agents
One day, all staff working for the Child Support Enforcement program in Georgia will be certified as haVing completed and passed a standardized curriculum. The courses will cover all disciplines. It will cover the business protocols for the front desk as well as the courtroom protocols for the agent seeking to establish a new order for support. This certificate program will assure that CSE services are provided in a competent professional manner everywhere a CSE office operates in the state.
Artificial Intelligence
One day, policy and procedure manuals will be a relic of the past. The policies and procedures that guide the work of the agency will be embedded in the computer system programs. Workers will be guided

through tasks via decision trees. The computer system and not the worker will make some decisions. Workers will be free to spend more time dealing with people-talking with them, resolving problems -while the routine monitoring actions are performed by the system. In a world where there are never enough staff to do everything, the system will do the routine work.
A Father For Every Child
One day, DNA "banks" will enable OCSE to identify fathers. These banks will contain the essential DNA patterns necessary for determining parentage. Once the DNA pattern for the child and mother are established, finding the missing DNA pattern, the father, would be a relatively simple matter. A computer program would convert the DNA data being sought into digital patterns. Once this is done, the task of searching the DNA bank for a similar pattern is relatively simple. If and when this happens, every child can truly have an identified father.

Georgia Child Support Enforcement Offices
Counties served by each office are in italics

Alapaha Judicial Circuit 303 South Jefferson Street P.O. Box 1078 Nashville, GA 31639 229-686-7678 Atkinson Berrien Clinch, Cook, Lanier

Alcovy Judicial Circuit 4174 Baker Street P.O. Box 1038 Covington, GA 30015 770-784-2499 Newton

Alcovy Judicial Circuit 226 Alcovy Street, Bldg. E-1S P.O. Box 1792 Monroe, GA 30655 770-207-4180 Walton

Appalachian Judicial Circuit 37 Kiker Street Ellijay, GA 30540 706-276-2364 Fannin Gilmer, Pickens

Atlanta Judicial Circuit

1718 Peachtree Street

Suite 385

Atlanta, GA 30309

,

404-206-5362

Fulton

Atlanta Judicial Circuit 3201 Atlanta Industrial Parkway Suite 301 Atlanta, GA 30331 404-699-6868
Fulton

Atlantic Judicial Circuit 945 E.G. Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 912-876-4154
Bryan. Evans, Uberty, Long, Mcintosh, Tattnall
Augusta Judicial Circuit 360 Bay Street, Suite 300 P.O. Box 1427 Augusta, GA 30901 706-721-6991 Burke, Columbia, Richmond
Bell - Forsyth Judicial Circuit 321 lamar Halley Parkway P.O. Box 1188 Canton, GA 30114 770-720-3585 Forsyth
Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit 321 Lamar Halley Parkway P.O. Box 1188 Canton, GA 30114 770-720-3585 Cherokee
Brunswick Judicial Circuit 4420 Altama Avenue P.O. Box 1624 Brunswick, GA 31521 912-262-3000 Camden, Glynn
Brunswick Judicial Circuit 1313 West Pine Street P.O. Box 584 Jesup, GA 31545 912-427-5833 Appling, Jeff Davis, Wayne

Chattahoochee judicial Circuit 1327 Third Avenue
P.O. Box 309 Columbus, GA 31902 706-649-7317 Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot, Taylor
Cherokee judicial Circuit 45 Brook Drive Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-3724 Barto~ Gordon
Clayton judicial Circuit
1287 Spur Hwy. 1 38
jonesboro, GA 30236
770-473-2474 Clayton
Clayton judicial Circuit 951 Tara Boulevard
Suite 3C501
jonesboro, GA 30236
770-477-4552 Clayton - UIFSAOnly
Cobb judicial Circuit 590 Commerce Park Drive
Suite 112
Marietta, GA 30060
770-528-3500 Cobb
Cobb judicial Circuit 10 East Park Square Suite 402
Marietta, GA 30090 770-528-2410 Cobb - UIFSA Only
Conasauga Judicial Circuit 417 West Crawford Street
P.O. Box 885 Dalton, GA 30722 706-272-2326 Murray, Whitfield
Cordele judicial Circuit 108-A 16th Avenue East
P.O. Box 1273 Cordele, GA 31010 229-276-2338 Ben Hill, Crisp, Doo/y, Wilcox

Coweta judicial Circuit 102 College Street Carrollton, GA 301 17
770-836-6870 Carroll, Heard, Troup
Coweta judicial Circuit 8-A Madison Street
P.O. 80x D
Newnan, GA 30264
770-254-7249 Coweta, Meriwether
Dougherty judicial Circuit 208 W. Oglethorpe Boulevard Suite 201
Albany, GA 31701 229-430-4520 Dougherty
Douglas judicial Circuit 8677 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134 770-489-3014 Douglas
Dublin judicial Circuit 904 Claxton Dairy Road
P.O. Box 488 Dublin, GA 31021 478-275-6576 Johnson, Laurens, Treutlen, Twiggs
Eastern judicial Circuit Chatham ety Courthouse Annex 415 W. Broughton Street Suite 101 Savannah, GA 31401
912-652-7400 Chatham
Enotah Judicial Circuit 133 Tipton Drive
P.O. Box 939 Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-867-2908 Lumpkin, Towns, Union, White
Flint judicial Circuit 46 Sloan Street
P.O. Box 113 McDonough,GA 30253 770-954-2010 Henry

Griffin Judicial Circuit 1435 North Expressway
Suite 602 Griffin, GA 30223 770-229-3100 Fayette, Spa/ding

Griffin Judicial Circuit

1457 Highway 19 North

1

P.O. Box 632

Thomaston, GA 30286

706-646-6016

Pike, Upson

Gwinnett Judicial Circuit 446 West Crogan Street
P.O_ Box 11 07 lawrenceville, GA 30046 770-822-8420 Gwinnett

Houston Judicial Circuit 92 Cohen Walker Drive
P.O. Box 8038
Warner Robi ns, GA 31 095
478-988-7700
Houston

lookout Mtn. Judicial Circuit 10056 North Highway 27 P.O. Box 39 Rock Springs, GA 30739 706-375-0701 Catoosa, Chattoogo, Dade, Walker

Macon Judicial Circuit 2720 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 7467 Macon, GA 31209 478-752-1500 Bibb

Macon Judicial Circuit 350 North Dugger Avenue
P.O. Box 36 Roberta, GA 31078 478-836-3169 Crawford, Peach

Maximus - Augusta 2525 Washington Rd, Suite P Augusta, GA 30904 706-733-0791 Burke, Columbia, Richmond - Non-TANF Only

Maximus - Cobb 2812 Spring Road, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30339 770-434-4901 Cobb - Non-TANF Only
Maximus - Columbus
233 12th Street, Suite 700 Columbus, GA 31901 706-653-9682 Chattahoochee, Muscogee, Harris, Marion, Talbot, Toy/or Non-TANF Only
Maximus - DeKalb
1975 Century 8Ivd., Suite 1 Atlanta, GA 30345 404-634-1565 DeKo/b - Non-TANF Only
Maximus - Fulton 34 Peachtree Street
30th Floor, Suite 3000 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-832-7081 Fulton - Non-TANF Only
Maximus - Valdosta 124-126 N. Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA 31601 229-333-0629 Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, Lowndes, Thomas Non-TANF Only
Middle Judicial Circuit 125 East Church Street
P.O. Box 540
Sandersville, GA 31082
478-552-6845 jefferson, Washington
Middle Judicial Circuit 107 South Main Street
P.O. Box 1409
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-289-2570 Candler, Emanuel, Toombs
Mountain Judicial Circuit 518-A Monroe Street
P.O. Box 1930 Clarkesville, GA 30523 706-754-9100 Habersham, Rabun, Stephens

Northeastern judicial Circuit
465 EE Butler Parkway
Second Floor
P.O. Box 3395
Gainesville, GA 30503
770-535-5735 Dawson, Hall
Northern judicial Circuit 11 Seaboard Street
P.O. Box 6400 Elberton, GA 30635 706-213-2014 Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Oglethorpe
Ocmulgee judicial Circuit 2930 Heritage Place, Suite 101
Milledgeville, GA 31061 478-445-4761 Baldwin, Greene,Hancock, jasper, jones, Morgan, Putnam, Wilkinson
Oconee judicial Circuit 600-A Sixth Avenue
P.O. Box 4063 Eastman, GA 31023 478-374-6800 Bfeckley, Dodge, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Wheeler
Ogeechee Judicial Circuit 901 North Pine Street
P.O. Box 300 Springfield, GA 31329 912-754-9249 Effingham
Ogeechee Judicial Circuit 1 Courtland Street, First Floor
Statesboro, GA 30458 912-489-8747 Bulloch, jenkins, Screven
Pataula judicial Circuit 101 East Dawson Street
P.O. Box 30 Cuthbert, GA 31740 229-732-2108 Clay. Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell

Piedmont judicial Circuit 28 Lee Street
P.O. Box 1880 Winder, GA 30680 770-868-4180 Banks, Barrow, jackson
Rockdale judicial Circuit 997 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 81790 Conyers, GA 30013 770-388-5000 Rockdale
Rome judicial Circuit 450 Riverside Parkway
P.O. Box 473 Rome, GA 30162 706-295-6494 Floyd
Southern Judicial Circuit 606 Southeast First Street
P.O. Box 1 359 Moultrie, GA 31776 229-891-7220 Colquitt, Thomas
Southern Judicial Circuit 111-B South Patterson Street Suite 202
P.O. Box 1669 Valdosta, GA 31603 229-333-5240 Brooks, Echols, Lowndes
South Georgia judicial Circuit 1O-A West Broad Street
P.O. 80x 565 Camilla, GA 31730 229-522-3600 Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell
Southwestern Judicial Circuit S02 Lawson Drive
P.O. Box 1085
Americus, GA 31709
229-931-2420 Lee, Macon, Schfey. Stewart, Sumter, Webster

Stone Mtn. Judicial Circuit 178-A Sams Street
Trussell Building Addition
P.O. Box 1647 Decatur, GA 30030 404-371-7300 DeKalb

Stone Mtn. Judicial Circuit

315 W. Ponce de leon Avenue

Suite 600

Decatur, GA 30030



404-687-2401

Dekalb - UIFSA only

Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit
300 W/I Parkway, Suite 207 P.O. Box 799 Dallas, GA 30132 770-443-7841 Haralson Paulding, Polk

Tifton Judicial Circuit 405 North Henderson Street
P.O. Box 426 Sylvester, GA 31791 229-776-0020 Worth, Turner

Tifton judicial Circuit 246 E. Second Street Lee Building
P.O. Box 7610 Tifton, GA 31793 229-387-8557 Irwin Tift

Toombs judicial Circuit

110 East Hall Street

P.O. Drawer 966

Thomson, GA 30824

1

706-597-9720 Glascock, Lincoln McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren

Wilkes

Towaliga judicial Circuit 464 West Third Street Suite 105
Jackson, GA 30233 770-504-2224 Butts, Lamar, Monroe

Waycross judicial Circuit 215-8 Albany Avenue
P.O. Box 1130
Waycross, GA 31502
912-285-6061 Bacon Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Pierce, Ware
Western Judicial Circuit 850 Hawthorne Avenue
P.O. Box 6257 Athens, GA 30604 706-369-5614 Clarke, Oconee



ili
DHR GEOAC.... I)EJ'AATMENT OF
HuttAN ItESOUACES

Georgia Department of Human Resources Jim Martin, Commissioner
Kate Pfirman, Deputy Commissioner Financial and Fiscal Policy
Office of Child Support Enforcement Robert Riddle, Director
Two Peachtree Street, NW Suite 20-445
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (404) 657-3851
www.cse.dhr.state.ga.us