Child support office reports strong performance metrics, 66% state reimbursement and recent state payment

The Richland County child support office gave the Community and Health Services Standing Committee an overview of its work, performance metrics and budget role at the May 1 meeting.

Melanie Walters, a case worker and financial specialist with the child support agency, told the committee the office’s primary responsibilities include establishing paternity and establishing and enforcing child-support orders. “First and foremost, child support’s responsibility is to establish paternity,” Walters said.

Performance measures: Walters presented state performance benchmarks and the office’s results through March. The office reported meeting or exceeding benchmarks for paternity establishment and court order establishment (the latter at 88.73%). Collection on current support exceeded the 80% benchmark (reported at 83.11%), while arrears collection (past-due support) was reported at 72.12% as of the report; Walters noted performance typically improves as the federal fiscal year progresses.

Funding and budget: Walters said the state reimburses 66% of the child support agency’s expenses so roughly 34% of the expense is county responsibility. She also told the committee the office had received a state payment of “almost $32,000” after the packet went to the board.

Awards and staffing: Walters reported the agency received a 2023 certificate of excellence for performance and that agency staff have completed notary and virtual training to support court filings. She described the agency’s reporting cadence and recommended quarterly reporting to the committee going forward.

Ending: The committee accepted the update and agreed child support would provide a quarterly report on performance measures and a near-term update if there were unusual changes to staffing or budget receipts.