Michigan Family Support Council Conference Update

By Michigan Family Support Council Board

As many of you already know, because of COVID-19 concerns, the 2021 Michigan Family Support Council (MFSC) Fall Conference was cancelled this year.  However, you should know that this year, like other years, the MFSC Board will be accepting nominations to recognize individuals in the Michigan Child Support Program who have made significant contributions to Michigan's children and families.

Continuing Parent Panel Conversations

By Amy Lindholm, Management Analyst, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau (FOCB)

In 2021, the Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) and FOCB offered two additional training webinars featuring parents and their perspectives on child support and friend of the court services. The first panel in 2020 focused on fathers. In 2021 we heard first from a panel of mothers, and then a combined panel of both mothers and fathers.

Reflections on the Changing Child Support Program

By Suzanne Hollyer, Director, Oakland County Friend of the Court

I recently had the opportunity to attend the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) annual Leadership Symposium. I attended as the outgoing President of the Friend of the Court Association (FOCA). The incoming Friend of the Court Association President, Sara Anderson of Jackson County, and Vice President, Kristy Bray of Washtenaw County attended along with me. Many of the sessions focused on managing child support programs in the era of COVID-19 spikes, declining caseloads, and the “Great Resignation” (people resigning, retiring, or reordering their work life in response to the pandemic) – a new concept I had previously observed but not heard named. Several presentations focused on our collective handling of the COVID-19 crisis and the changing nature of the child support program. It became clear that the program is suffering somewhat of an identity crisis – not just in Michigan, but nationwide. Finishing up this two-year term as FOCA president during a time of great introspection in the child support program caused me to also reflect on how much the program has changed since I last served as President of the Friend of the Court Association.

Navigating the Confusing Language of the Child Support Program

By Steve Capps, Director, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau

“Pourquoi me parlez-vous en français?” is French for “Why are you speaking to me in French?”  Many commonly used terms in the child support program are actually derived from French words.  Why is this?  How did we get here?

Perspectives from a Retiring FOC Director

By Jack Battles, former Genesee County Friend of the Court Director

Prior to joining the Genesee County Friend of the Court (FOC) in August of 2006, I had enjoyed a successful 20 year legal practice focused mainly on family law and criminal defense.  At the time I felt my background in the legal community provided me with the necessary tools to take over the office and be successful.  I soon found I had underestimated the requirements of the office and the drastically changing economic environment in Genesee County.

Legal Corner - October 2021

"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 memoranda.

Editor’s note: Court rule updates, SCAO form updates, legislative activity, and published opinion summaries have been published here with permission from the Michigan Judicial Institute’s “IMPACT” publication.