October-November 2020
Customer Service
Peggy Gimer from the Fort Dodge office is a shining example of great customer service. She takes pride in her work, and she treats customers with respect, while celebrating their achievements. While discussing a recent case scenario, she reflected, “This NCP is one of my proudest success stories. At one time he had current and arrears due on three cases. He was working two minimum wage jobs, a good 60 hours per week, and we were taking 50 percent of net from both employers. He was so frustrated, trying to bring home enough to survive. Little by little his income increased and I was able to refund IWO overages towards the end of each month. He has since paid off two of those cases and is current on the remaining case. He stuck out the financial hardships and it has totally paid off. I tell him how proud I am of him every time we speak.”

Peggy's work and spirit are inspiring and encouraging, and CSRU is grateful for her dedication.
New Hires
  • Ives Ruilova, Davenport (10/16)
  • Anna Lyons, Ankeny (10/30)
  • Selena Edmondson, Des Moines South (11/13)
  • Alisha Corley, EPICS (11/13)
  • Yanira Calderon, Des Moines South (11/13)
  • Rhonda Fitchett, Attorney General Mason City office (11/16)
Staff Anniversaries
5 Years:
  • Jamie Kearney, Cedar Rapids
10 Years:
  • Brenda Courtney, Ankeny
  • Nicolle Juarez, Sioux City
  • Heidi Vermace, Indianola
  • Carmen Stroud, Des Moines South
15 Years
  • Gina Moses, Ottumwa
  • Deborah Clarahan, Ottumwa
20 Years
  • David Dalton, Mason City
  • Deanna Mueterthies, Decorah
25 Years
  • Sindy Killin, Central Office
30 Years
  • Rose Shira, CSC
  • Cynthia Derrick, Davenport
ISU Insights: Exciting Opportunity!

Do you want to be part of a historic documentation of the COVID-19 pandemic? The ISU-CSRU contract team is producing a short film about the transition from the office to working from home and the ways CSRU staff have stayed resilient during the pandemic.

To participate, you'll just need to take part in a 15-minute Zoom call with our Marketing Specialist. Email mttritle@iastate.edu to participate!
Staff Highlight: Linda Woodruff
There are many things that makes Linda such a standout in her work. She is dedicated to the CSRU mission, having made this her life’s work. She works hard to help others achieve success and cares about people, whether they are her staff, our customers, or her family. Her example of how to conduct oneself in the face of adversity is unmatched. She always handles herself with grace and dignity. 
Policy Corner

Did you know?
 
  • Each year CSRU adjusts the run schedule to do a federal offset reconciliation with the federal government. This yearly maintenance allows CSRU to compare ICAR ’s federal offset and passport sanction information to the information on the federal computers. When ICAR finds a mismatch, it fixes the situation. This year ’s reconciliation is scheduled for the weekend of November 21st.

  • Effective Oct 1, 2020 the printing and mailing of the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN), along with two other medical support notices, moved from EPICS to the Hoover mailroom. This change involved the processing of about 4,500 notices per month.
 
A sneak peek of a couple of training projects in the works:
 
  • The Case Set-up and Establishment teams are working on instructions for the field when an Alleged Father applies for services.

  • The Guidelines Supreme Court Committee is working on updating Iowa’s child support guidelines.
Training
Three Ways to Humanize Your Trainings
by Martha Stewart
Regardless of the type of training you’re going to tackle, there are some basic ideas to consider that will likely create a more impactful training by connecting with your audience on a more personal and emotional level. I’ve learned about these approaches over many years of training (mostly by making mistakes!), so I’ll share three suggestions that are likely to help you create a better training.
Outreach
Representing Iowa at WICSEC
by Nancy Lund
"I was honored to represent CSRU as Iowa’s Ambassador to the WICSEC Interjurisdictional Fair on the last day, but the 2020 conference had to be reimagined like everything else this year."