Agenda

• Speakers: Tunisa Jackson (IFSEA Board of Directors President, Assistant Deputy Administrator, Child Support Services) & Lauren Voltani (IFSEA Board of Directors First Vice President, Assistant Attorney General, Administrative Attorney Supervisor, Child Support Services)

• Speaker: Lara Fors, Missouri Office of Prosecuting Attorney, Jackson Co.
• Description: Have you heard people (even on your caseload) kick around the words SSI and SSD?  Do you know the difference between them and what Social Security benefits are?  How do they affect calculating child support?  And what do you need to know when you want to enforce an order?  Are there differences between what states and tribes can do?  Come with your questions and your experience as we all learn more about the impact of Social Security benefits and this key area of child support law and case management.

• Speakers: Anadelle Martinez-Mullen (Director, National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence, at the Battered Women’s Justice Project) & Tracy Shoberg (Deputy Director, National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence, at the Battered Women’s Justice Project)
• Description: This interactive training introduces the foundations of trauma informed care and explores how to apply them across different levels. We will move from direct work with survivors and families, to supporting professionals by addressing burnout and secondary trauma, and ultimately building a trauma informed organizational culture. Participants will learn practical strategies for creating safer, more responsive environments for survivors while also fostering an institutional culture that responds effectively to the realities of the work.

• Speakers: Bryan Tribble (IV-D Administrator, Child Support Services; IFSEA Board of Directors) & Christina Mahoney (Deputy Attorney General, Child Support Services, Office of the Illinois Attorney General; IFSEA Board of Directors)
• Description: Discussion of recent changes in case law, legislation, and federal policy, as well as national and state performance levels.

12:30 – 1:30 Lunch

• Speakers: Darryl Watts (Program Specialist, OCSS Division of Policy and Training) & Janice McDaniel (Senior Program Specialist, OCSS Department of Policy and Training)
• Description: This presentation will delve into the intricacies of intergovernmental cases, providing Illinois IV-D attorneys with an understanding of the fundamentals. Attendees will gain insights into the processes of case establishment, enforcement, modifications, and closure. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively navigate intergovernmental cases and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

• Speakers: Daniel Cordis (Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit- Peoria County), Sarah Duffy (Judge, McLean County), & Maureen Schuette (Judge, Madison County)
• Moderator: Joseph Arias (AAG, Norther District Supervisor, Illinois Attorney General’s Office)
• Description: This year’s popular IFSEA session is going virtual, featuring a panel of three experienced judges who will walk through challenging child support scenarios pulled from real cases. They’ll offer advice and insight into how they evaluate and resolve these challenges. This interactive session is designed to give you practical takeaways and a clearer view of how judges approach different child support matters in today’s legal landscape.

• Speakers: Christina Mahoney (Deputy Attorney General, Illinois Attorney General, Child Support Enforcement Division), Mitchell Broudy (Senior Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General- Eastern Virginia Regional Legal Division), & MaryAnn Wolk (Director, Information & Analysis, MA Dept of Revenue/Child Support)
• Description: One of the key challenges in calculating child support for self-employed parents is determining their income. Unlike salaried employees with regular paychecks, self-employed parents often have irregular income streams and significant control over how income and expenses are reported. Determining their true income can be challenging. This session will explore strategies for uncovering accurate income information using tools such as tax returns, profit and loss statements, business expenses, bank statements, and other financial records to ensure fair and accurate child support calculations.

• Speakers: Darryl Watts (Program Specialist, OCSS Division of Policy and Training) & Janice McDaniel (Senior Program Specialist, OCSS Department of Policy and Training)
• Description: This presentation will delve into the intricacies of intergovernmental cases, providing Illinois IV-D attorneys with an understanding of the fundamentals. Attendees will gain insights into the processes of case establishment, enforcement, modifications, and closure. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively navigate intergovernmental cases and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

• Speaker: Debbie Packard (Public Service Administrator-State of Illinois, Child Support Services)
• Description: After years of hard work, EPIC’s implementation is on the horizon! With User Acceptance Testing currently underway, we are excited to share the new system’s highlights and how they will meet the modern needs of the Illinois Child Support Program. With Design and Development complete, we are now able to share some screenshots and a high-level glance into EPIC. What does it look like and how does it function? We will also detail how users will be prepared for EPIC’s implementation, through various modules of statewide training.

• Speakers: Elizabeth West (Management Analyst, Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office Friend of the Court Bureau) & Esther Aparicio (SAVE Attorney Advisor, SAVES Project)
• Description: Learn how the SAVES (Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security) Grant project is improving access to child support for survivors of domestic violence. This session, led by the national SAVES Center and a state SAVES grantee, shares practical lessons, real-world strategies, and insights on creating safer, more survivor-centered practices within the child support system.