Policy & Practice | Summer 2025

determine the partner support you’ll need—from program design and implementation through opera tional integration. 5. Shift mindsets through warm handoffs. Change management is not just for your staff and partners. Establish warm handoffs as parents move from more punitive initiatives to early intervention and supportive services. When introducing non custodial parents to E&T services, help them see it as an

2.Talk to other departments. Engage with human services, labor, workforce development, and social services leaders (or the equivalent departments in your state) who operate programs that include E&T services. Reach out to the entity that coordinates TANF and SNAP work requirements for your state. Glean best practices and research, leverage existing infrastructure and commu nity and industry partnerships, and

parenting initiatives, E&T can also foster healthier co-parenting dynamics

and strengthen family bonds. But realizing these outcomes

requires agencies to rethink how they interact with noncustodial parents. Guidance for New E&T Initiatives Whether you’re launching a new initiative or refining an existing one, begin by asking, “How are we engaging with our noncustodial parents?” This is the starting point for meaningful change, for both

opportunity, not a penalty. For those who have prior negative experiences with child support, changing mindsets takes time and persistence. Communicate often and through multiple channels as you build (or rebuild) trust. The transition to engage ment is an opportunity whose time has come. Nearly 50 years of emphasis on enforcement, often through the court system, didn’t meaningfully address the financial capacity of noncustodial parents. A new focus on support and inclusion allows agencies

programs and parents. It also invites a closer look at your communi cation strategy and the expectations of today’s parents. Many prefer the ease and flexibility of self-service portals, virtual appointments, and chat rather than in-person visits to the office, which may

present scheduling and transportation challenges. As you consider

to reframe their mission and build programs that serve the needs of both parents. By offering services like employment and training, in place of punitive measures, noncustodial parents can increase their earnings and meet their child support obligations— ultimately putting more children and families on the path to lasting economic stability and well-being. documents/2024/12/13/2024-29081/ employment-and-training-services-for noncustodial-parents-in-the-child-support program 2. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/ full_529.pdf 3. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ migrated_legacy_files/39936/report.pdf Reference Notes 1. https://www.federalregister.gov/

look for opportunities for collabora tion and efficiencies. 3.Understand the local job market. Identify which sectors are growing and hiring. What credentialing, training, or education will be neces sary to obtain employment in those sectors? How can you connect indi viduals to the appropriate training or education they may need to be successful? What employer part nerships do you have (or need)? Establish relationships with regional workforce boards, chambers of commerce, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. 4.Design your E&T initiative. Start with your desired employ ment outcomes. While quick job placements may boost short-term collections, jobs with growth potential can yield more finan cial stability and consistent child support payments over time. Define the services you’ll offer, outline the customer journey, and

a partner to help implement E&T services into your child support program, be sure to select one with a deep understanding of program operations, demonstrated experience with E&T service delivery, and a track record of enhancing the customer experience for government. Here are five additional strategies for success: 1. Build a culture of engagement. Effective E&T programs are rooted in a culture of positive engagement that includes both mothers and fathers. While this culture change starts at the top, it quickly needs to reach front-line staff who are critical to changing how programs interact with noncustodial parents. When leaders champion engagement over enforcement as a more efficient and effective path to positive outcomes, staff can align with this approach to build relationships with parents— shifting perceptions and improving participation.

Jeremy Toulouse is the Senior Director of Program and System Modernization at Maximus and a former state IV-D Director.

7

Summer 2025 Policy & Practice