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| Linda Bess |
It has been my good fortune and privilege to have spent the majority of my 30+ year career at the Calhoun County Friend of the Court (FOC) working in the intergovernmental world (or interstate, as we used to call it, and “intergov,” as it is now known in its short form).
As I recall, it was about 1997 when Michigan, along with the rest of the country, came face-to-face with major changes in the intergov law. RURESA (Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act) had been replaced by UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) of 1996. This legislative change introduced new concepts, new regulations, and new ways of processing intergov cases; there was a lot to learn and many changes to be implemented.
Recognizing that we needed more than the training sessions provided by the state, Susan Fox of Macomb County FOC organized monthly meetings for intergov workers in the field to discuss the day-to-day issues we were facing. Dozens of workers from all over the state benefited each month from sharing our mutual frustrations, questions, and problem cases.
This monthly group quickly evolved into a cohesive grassroots organization bound together by our determination to help each other become proficient in this new intergov world. We frequently received valuable input and direction from the Interstate Case Reconciliation (ICR) team, the Office of Child Support (OCS) Policy team, and the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). And yes, we even shared a few disagreements and arguments – there were some turbulent moments as we struggled through many challenges.
It soon became evident that our monthly meetings were not enough to keep up with the volume of questions and problem cases that existed all over the state. It was then that “LIST2” was created. LIST2 was a private e-mail chain that allowed members to ask questions and present problem cases to be dissected by other members without having to wait until the next monthly meeting. LIST2 was created by and for intergov workers with the intent to be “underground” and work through our issues without input from “the state.”
These were stressful times as we were also dealing with the implementation of our first state-wide computer system, MiCSES, which was forcing us to give up our individual ways of doing things and to conform to imposed, standardized ways of processing cases. It is fair to say that there was a certain level of resistance.
There came a point in our journey when we realized that remaining a detached and closed group was not serving us well. We needed Lansing and Lansing needed us. This disconnect was holding us back.
Intergov case processing improved and advanced in Michigan when we worked together as partners. LIST2 emerged from the shadows and was opened to anyone in the state. Over time, we have developed solid working relationships with OCS and SCAO. Our group benefited greatly early on (and still today) from the contributions of Bill Bartels of SCAO, who shared his expertise with the more intricate legal aspects of UIFSA for anyone struggling with a problem case. He created a number of memoranda addressing challenging intergov issues.
Today, intergov workers enjoy a productive working relationship with multiple partners in Lansing: Liz Stomski of SCAO; Andrew Moore of OCS Policy; Paula Fulton from OCS Training; Jennifer Reed of ICR; and Brent Barton of MiCSES, to name a few. Workers from county FOC offices contribute by serving on workgroups, joint application design (JAD) groups, committees, and the intergov work improve team (WIT), providing valuable hands-on expertise from the field to shape process improvements, system updates, and policy developments. Luckily, Michigan has numerous educated, committed, engaged intergov experts from the far corner of the UP to the bottom of the mitten, and all the area in between.
The intergov caseload in Michigan is currently about six to seven percent of the total IV-D caseload. Relatively speaking, that’s small, but it is also vital. The majority of counties have at least one worker dedicated to an intergov caseload. Many smaller counties cannot afford that luxury. Working an intergov caseload can be a lonely place when not connected to the larger community.
Our intergov workers group recognized (mostly through our own lonely experiences) that sometimes LIST2 and our meetings were not enough or were too high-level for those still struggling to learn the basics. To support those new to intergov, I led the way in forming a mentoring program. Now, experienced workers volunteer to be paired with a newcomer. The pair arranges their preferred method of communication according to their agreed-upon schedule. The newcomer can receive mentoring in a private and safe environment. This has proven to bring new workers up to speed more quickly, allowing for a firm base on which to expand their knowledge. Michigan workers have mentored newcomers into becoming mentors themselves – a gift that keeps on giving.
Anyone interested in joining the mentoring program can contact Wendy Amell from the Livingston County FOC (WAmell@livgov.com). Wendy will connect newcomers with an experienced intergovernmental caseworker. Most of us find it beneficial to have someone we can talk to out loud about difficult cases.
We have become quite efficient in the art of partnering, tackling issues, and jumping hurdles by sharing knowledge and information. And this comes none too soon, as we are nudged into the modern era of internet and electronic transfer of information and data (Alerts, CSENets, QUICK, and EDE – I will spare you the translation this time!).
These were stressful times as we were also dealing with the implementation of our first state-wide computer system, MiCSES, which was forcing us to give up our individual ways of doing things and to conform to imposed, standardized ways of processing cases. It is fair to say that there was a certain level of resistance.
There came a point in our journey when we realized that remaining a detached and closed group was not serving us well. We needed Lansing and Lansing needed us. This disconnect was holding us back.
Intergov case processing improved and advanced in Michigan when we worked together as partners. LIST2 emerged from the shadows and was opened to anyone in the state. Over time, we have developed solid working relationships with OCS and SCAO. Our group benefited greatly early on (and still today) from the contributions of Bill Bartels of SCAO, who shared his expertise with the more intricate legal aspects of UIFSA for anyone struggling with a problem case. He created a number of memoranda addressing challenging intergov issues.
Today, intergov workers enjoy a productive working relationship with multiple partners in Lansing: Liz Stomski of SCAO; Andrew Moore of OCS Policy; Paula Fulton from OCS Training; Jennifer Reed of ICR; and Brent Barton of MiCSES, to name a few. Workers from county FOC offices contribute by serving on workgroups, joint application design (JAD) groups, committees, and the intergov work improve team (WIT), providing valuable hands-on expertise from the field to shape process improvements, system updates, and policy developments. Luckily, Michigan has numerous educated, committed, engaged intergov experts from the far corner of the UP to the bottom of the mitten, and all the area in between.
The intergov caseload in Michigan is currently about six to seven percent of the total IV-D caseload. Relatively speaking, that’s small, but it is also vital. The majority of counties have at least one worker dedicated to an intergov caseload. Many smaller counties cannot afford that luxury. Working an intergov caseload can be a lonely place when not connected to the larger community.
Our intergov workers group recognized (mostly through our own lonely experiences) that sometimes LIST2 and our meetings were not enough or were too high-level for those still struggling to learn the basics. To support those new to intergov, I led the way in forming a mentoring program. Now, experienced workers volunteer to be paired with a newcomer. The pair arranges their preferred method of communication according to their agreed-upon schedule. The newcomer can receive mentoring in a private and safe environment. This has proven to bring new workers up to speed more quickly, allowing for a firm base on which to expand their knowledge. Michigan workers have mentored newcomers into becoming mentors themselves – a gift that keeps on giving.
Anyone interested in joining the mentoring program can contact Wendy Amell from the Livingston County FOC (WAmell@livgov.com). Wendy will connect newcomers with an experienced intergovernmental caseworker. Most of us find it beneficial to have someone we can talk to out loud about difficult cases.
We have become quite efficient in the art of partnering, tackling issues, and jumping hurdles by sharing knowledge and information. And this comes none too soon, as we are nudged into the modern era of internet and electronic transfer of information and data (Alerts, CSENets, QUICK, and EDE – I will spare you the translation this time!).
Those turbulent early years served a purpose as we learned the value of working together. The originally small grassroots group of local workers has grown to a recognizable strength and effectiveness, supported by our strong working relationship with Lansing. We transitioned through changes in laws and policies, new computer systems, and roller coaster rides through process changes and system upgrades. We have become good at what we do.
It is now time to put our strengths, partnerships, and commitments to the test. UIFSA 2008 was passed into law in Michigan in December 2016, which means more changes. Michigan did not adopt UIFSA 2001, where a majority of the changes in UIFSA 2008 occurred. There are some big differences between UIFSA 1996 and 2008 that will require the understanding of new concepts and language. Intergovernmental income withholding and payment processing look drastically different from how we currently know them in Michigan, especially with the addition of UIFSA 2008’s section 319B.
Along with the major legislative changes, the federal forms have been overhauled and new ones added. These new forms will be added to our system in December. The challenges ahead will demand that we continue to work together for a smooth transition. Using the lessons of our past trials and tribulations will no doubt pave a path to success, and intergov cases will continue to be well-served by Michigan.
I was asked to explain why I choose to do what I do, and what interests me about my work. It is said often in our intergov world that you either love it or you hate it—and there is little space in between. I love intergov work, its challenges, and the dynamic quality of the work. More importantly, it is a pleasure and honor to work with people all over Michigan who share a passion for the work we do.
I am personally most proud of serving as a resource to other intergov community members in a few different ways. I have had the opportunity to work as a liaison of sorts between county field workers and Lansing state-level agencies by communicating the needs and desired changes from the field perspective through my WIT membership.
Furthermore, I have enjoyed teaching and encouraging others, watching the light bulbs go on when the dots finally connect. And of course, the mentoring program has been very rewarding – watching our community grow and get smarter and more engaged brings me joy. This community has blessed my career, and thus, my life. How fortunate are we who love what we do?
