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DLS flags fund discrepancies and call-center shortfall as child-support agency seeks more resources
Summary
DLS told the subcommittee the Child Support Administration's FY27 budget increases but flagged a $679,639 apparent double-budgeting and discrepancies in the child support reinvestment fund; DHS disputed some recommendations and said it will work with DLS to reconcile balances and improve reporting.
DLS presented a detailed fiscal 2027 review of the Child Support Administration (CSA), prompting questions about fund accounting, proposed deficiencies and operational capacity.
Connor Brown, the DLS policy analyst, said CSA's fiscal 2027 budget increases by $23.9 million (to $136.1 million) and noted five proposed deficiencies totaling $3.7 million, with the largest deficiency tied to the constituent services call center. DLS also recommended reducing $679,639 from the DHS request, asserting the amount would duplicate funding already budgeted in the Family Investment Administration for non-custodial parent job-training contracts.
"DLS recommends reducing DHS's fiscal 2027 appropriation by the $679,639 amount to correct the apparent double budgeting of non-custodial parent training contracts," Brown said.
DHS response and reconciliation work
Interim DHS Secretary Gloria Brown Bernett and CSA staff disputed some of the DLS accounting conclusions and provided context. DHS said the $679,639 request was intended to expand services for a re-entry component supporting formerly incarcerated non-custodial parents (job placement, legal aid and arrears reductions) and that using Title IV-D funds together with Family Investment Administration funds would not duplicate services.
On the larger reconciliation issue, DLS noted that DHS and the Comptroller reported different closing balances for the Child Support Reinvestment Fund for FY25 (less than $1 million per the Comptroller, more than $15 million per DHS). DHS acknowledged timing and reporting mismatches and agreed to work with DLS to reconcile revenue and expenditures, pointing to differences in definitions and when awards were recorded.
Operational items and CSA results
DHS highlighted program results and recent operational changes: the 2025 amnesty program collected roughly $790,000 and reinstated 2,383 driver's licenses; CSA reported $450 million in collections and distributions in federal fiscal 2025 and continues to address local office staffing and performance. DHS said many vacancies have been short-term and that the agency is prioritizing hiring and targeted training.
Local staff perspectives
Stanton Owens, a child-support team lead in Anne Arundel County, testified about chronic understaffing and heavy caseloads. "My office should have four team leads overseeing teams ranging from three and upwards. I am currently the only lead responsible for six agents of enforcement in my office," he said, urging lawmakers to boost staffing so cases can be processed promptly and families receive payments without resorting to safety-net programs.
What comes next
The committee asked DHS to supply the reconciliation of the Child Support Reinvestment Fund and to follow up on staffing and call-center cost allocations so the budget office and lawmakers can align appropriations with operational needs.
