December 2020-January 2021
Customer Service
A Waterloo case manager recently received a heartfelt note from a payor. This case manager built a strong, trusting working relationship with this payor and it all started with a CEC call. He said she made everything he went through worth it. The payor went an extra step and left the following voicemail for the case manager’s supervisor:
 
"During the time that she was my worker, I had nothing but a pleasant experience and an informative one. She was helpful, upfront, and honest. She helped me understand the things I had to do. I was very pleased and the best experience I could’ve imagined dealing with the child support system. I just wanted to make sure you knew what a great worker you had in her." 
New Hires
  • Brendon Bryant, Des Moines (11/27)
  • Michelle Zeliadt, Ankeny (12/2)
  • Brandon Adams, Des Moines (12/11)
  • Danielle Samson, Des Moines (12/11)
  • Krista Zahner, Waterloo (12/14)
Staff Anniversaries

5 Years:
  • Carol Schmidt, Carroll
  • Laura Webb, Davenport
  • Dionte Stewart, Dubuque
  • DeNette Cardwell, Cedar Rapids 
  • Richard Cook, Burlington
  • Marejuanet (Janet) Santiago, Cedar Rapids
  • Rebecca Curran, Waterloo
10 Years:
  • Jennifer Drees, Des Moines
  • Michelle Andrus, Central Office
  • Scott Lenninger, Davenport
15 Years:
  • Sarah Kalkwarf, Waterloo 
  • Trisha Hutchinson, Pleasant Hill
  • Angelia Tucker, Ottumwa
  • Jayson Rice, Sioux City
  • Teresa Deneut, Waterloo
  • Bobbie Renkel, Des Moines
  • Katie Schutter, Ottumwa 
20 Years:
  • Gayle Staner, Cedar Rapids
  • Wendy Alcorn, Mason City
  • Sandra Northrup, Mason City
  • Jennifer Huntington, Davenport
  • Sarah Pigg, Eastern Region 
  • Carrie Sievers, Mason City 
25 Years:
  • Sue Barrett, Council Bluffs
  • Kim Gritton – Cedar Rapids 
ISU Insights: Grant received to expand PIAL program

The Parenting: It's a Life (PIAL) project within the Child Welfare Research and Training Project (CWRTP) will be expanding into the college years through a new grant with Iowa's Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU). PIAL will receive $643,837 over three years to complete three primary objectives.
Staff Highlight: Sarah Gardner-Philips
Sarah Gardner-Phillips is a supervisor for the MAPPS Unit. She started with CSRU in 2000 and has an evident passion for her work. Learn more about Sarah by clicking the link below! 
Policy Corner

Adding to our existing program with US Bank, we are now working on a project that will issue a Reliacard to our payors for the purpose of loading refunds. This will reduce the number of warrants being mailed and will assist payors who have difficulty cashing warrants. The Reliacard will function the same way as the payees Reliacard. We are excited about this new process and we hope it makes our refunding process more efficient and more customer friendly. 
 
Important Note:
The 2021 17A Offset Appeals, State and Federal Offset Trainings are now available on LooMiS. The assigned staff are to complete the trainings by February 5, 2021.
New Video: CSRU & COVID-19
Get an inside look at CSRU's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected your coworkers.
Training
Listen to Learners Through Evaluations
by Angela Braggs
Whether you are a longtime instructor or someone new to leading training, asking for feedback or an evaluation of your course puts you in a vulnerable position. However, gathering feedback on how your course is perceived by learners should be your priority. It not only offers valuable insight into the effectiveness of your content and methods and provides you with ways to improve them, but it also communicates that the learners are your focus.
Outreach
Ottumwa POPP Program
The POPP program in the Ottumwa area is through Children and Families of Iowa. Bradley Pothoven is CSRU’s main point of contact with the program. Bradley has visited the Ottumwa office to speak with staff. He was able to provide valuable insight on the program and even shared his own personal experiences.