Michigan Child Support Uses Agile Approach to Strategic Planning

By Maureen Leif, J.D., President, Grays Peak Strategies 

Partner agencies collaborate in
the Michigan Child Support Program.

Often the mention of strategic planning elicits a nonenthusiastic sigh. It can be difficult to get excited about strategic planning. Typically, a lot of work is done at the executive level, and a plan is developed and rolled out to all levels of the organization for everyone to follow. 

The Michigan Child Support Program[1] (“Program”) wanted to approach its new strategic plan differently and began a process of revamping the plan this year. The Program Leadership Group (PLG) decided that the new plan would be a three-year plan and take the program through 2020. Grays Peak Strategies was hired to help facilitate the process and recommended Agile strategic planning.[2]

Putting Our Minds Together for Our Children

Meet Chief Judge Michael Petoskey and Chief Judge Bryan Newland

[This is the first article in a three-part series focusing on continued improvements to cross-court understanding between state and tribal courts through education and collaboration.]

This article features perspectives from the Pokagon Band
of Potawatomi Indians and the Bay Mills Indian Community.

Interacting with Native American Indian tribal courts on child support issues can present unique challenges, much like intergovernmental work, because each jurisdiction works on shared matters from a different set of rules. Over a century ago, the Lakota Sioux chief Sitting Bull said, “Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children.”[1]

Tribal and state courts can accomplish a lot by working together when the relationships are based upon mutual trust, respect, and professionalism.[2] In Michigan, there are 12 federally-recognized tribes. Two tribal court judges provided The Pundit with some insight into custody, parenting time, and child support matters from a tribal court perspective.

Judge Thane Offers Guidance on Child Support Agreements

Judge Nancy Thane

By Judge Nancy Thane, Presiding Judge, 54th Circuit Court Family Division

In our business, we always hope that “everyone can get along.”  We like to encourage parents to come to agreements and reach resolutions when it comes to their children.  After all, conflict is an enormous waste of time.  So, we should embrace agreements within our cases.  However, we still need to exercise caution for these agreements, especially when it relates to the support of a child. 

Below are several questions and answers related to the use of the Michigan child support formula (MCSF) when parties have reached an agreement related to child support.  These are designed to provide assistance to you when reviewing such agreements/orders.

After 37 Years, 'I Cannot Recall a Dull Moment'

Jeff Albaugh accepting the Daniel J. Wright Award.

Jeff Albaugh is a well-known figure in the Michigan IV-D child support program. You might know him from serving on a committee or work improvement team, or because he was honored in 2014 with the Daniel J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award. Albaugh served as court administrator and friend of the court (FOC) director for Calhoun County Circuit Court from January 1, 1980, through his retirement date of September 26, 2017. He is the last-serving FOC director to have been appointed to his position by the governor.

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS: A Special Focus on Communication Tools for Courts

By Michelle Le Feve, Executive Director, Courtland Consulting

Today’s Communication Tools Increase Productivity & Team Collaboration

Courtland Consulting works with many courts, agencies, organizations, and businesses to share our knowledge of new tools and technology trends that can help people do their job and market their programs and services. This Technology Trends article is the third in a series to share opportunities to take advantage of new online tools to easily collaborate and save time when working on team projects or delivering services to customers.

Fall Child Support Conference Highlights

The Michigan Family Support Council (MFSC) put on another great conference October 4 – 6, 2017. This year there were 470 registered conference attendees from all across the state. The keynote speaker Linda Larsen kicked off the conference with motivational tips about fostering positivity like dedicating time each morning to reflect on gratitude. Office of Child Support Director Erin Frisch and Friend of the Court Bureau Director Steve Capps jointly presented the program’s new strategic plan at the closing of the conference, followed by a brief message from Scott Lekan, Commissioner of the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement.

Steve Capps (left) and Erin Frisch (right) present the new strategic plan.

Legal Corner - December 2017

"The Legal Corner" provides a summary of recent Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals decisions relevant to the child support program, as well as recently released state policies.