February/March 2022
Customer Service
Alyssa Climer sent an NCP a nonpayment letter back in December and included a note about unreturned auto withdrawal forms she saw had been sent back in February 2021. She sent a new auto withdrawal form, and he returned it. The NCP paid $2760.24 to bring his two cases current through the end of December. Auto withdrawal started January 2022.
 
On another case Alyssa reviewed on the NONPAYING report, Alyssa called the NCP and told him she wanted to touch base since no payments had been received in 2021. The NCP sent a $5577.60 payment to bring himself current through the end of 2021. 
 
Alyssa’s vigilance in these two cases exemplifies how far great customer service can go in serving children and families in Iowa. Great work, Alyssa!
Staff Anniversaries

15 Years:
  • Jerry Kimball, EPICS
  • Erin Cullen (Eastman), Dubuque
  • Michelle Nolan, Ankeny
25 Years:
  • Cynthia Stewart, Burlington
New Hires
  • Sonya Jonas, Sioux City
  • Michael Shepherd, Pleasant Hill
  • Madison Loucks, Sioux City
  • Jody Kirby, Dubuque
  • Christine Sand (AG), Ottumwa
  • Betsy Araujo Grando, ISU
  • Bonnie Castillo, Creston
ISU Insights: ADMYRE Launch
Parenting: It’s a Life’s new Teen Dating Violence Awareness Program, Advocating for My Relationships (ADMYRE), lets students take on the role of teen characters experiencing dating violence. Throughout the simulation activity, students make choices about the relationship by interacting with their dating partners, family, friends, counselors, police, and others. Several other activities are included in the ADMYRE program.
Training
New online Voluntary Paternity Affidavit Program training
We are excited to announce that the VPA program is launching an online training for professionals! The training is for anyone who fields questions about the VPA, or assists families with completing and notarizing the VPA form.

This on-demand training provides information about legal paternity, how the VPA process works, and step-by-step guidance for completing the VPA form accurately.

  • For Iowa Child Support staff, the training is now available in LooMiS.

  • Hospitals, notaries, clinics, and community organizations can access the training through the VPA website starting in April.

Whether for new staff or as a refresher, this training will provide current and thorough information to help increase staff confidence in helping families with the process, and decrease the number of VPA forms rejected due to incomplete information or notary errors.

The training is free, and does not require pre-registration. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.

If you have questions, please send us an email at pataff@iastate.edu.
Staff Highlight: Denise Zenkovich
In October, Denise Zenkovich will have been with CSRU for 35 years, showing her dedication and capabilities. Denise has been a committed case manager and modification worker trying to improve quality of life for Iowa families by working their cases to the best of her ability. She is a multi-tasking rock star!  
Policy Corner: Legislative Update

The Iowa Legislature is hoping to adjourn the second session of the 89th General Assembly by Easter weekend – a sharp contrast to last year when the first session ran about two-and-half weeks past the per-diem cutoff date.

One sign they will make this deadline is House lawmakers have begun voting on the various bills... 
Outreach
Western Region Child Support Newsletter Team
A talented group of talented staff create a newsletter for Western Child Support staff each quarter. Newsletters have included anything from favorite holiday-themed recipes, local restaurants, and local “day-cation” spots.
Annual Training Video
Iowa Child Support has several upcoming trainings coming out in April. Make sure to check out the video to get all the important information!