Foster Care Referrals – Has Anything Changed?
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
2:00 p.m – 3:15 p.m. Eastern
This was a FREE webinar!
Description
Nearly 4 years ago, the federal Administration for Children and Families issued significant joint guidance from the Children’s Bureau and Office of Child Support Enforcement (now, Office of Child Support Services) regarding when it is appropriate to pursue child support against parents working towards reunification with their children. That guidance encouraged foster care agencies to carefully consider how child support referrals may impact the family reunification process—urging referrals only when they do not create additional barriers for families working toward reunification. Since then, a growing number of states have begun reexamining and revising their referral practices. Other states have faced roadblocks. Join us as we learn:
- Why child support orders may harm parents (and ultimately children) trying to work with the court to get their children returned to home
- What the joint guidance said
- Ways that states have changed
- Challenges that states have in making changes
It’s time to do a quadrennial review of this important topic – register for this webinar today!
Thank You to Our Sponsor!
Recording and Materials
Speakers
Dr. Trish Skophammer
Child Support Services Division Director
Ramsey County Attorney’s Office in Minnesota
Dr. Trish Skophammer serves as the Director of the Child Support Services Division in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office located in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has 25 years of experience in child support. She has been involved in NCSEA for many years, serving on Leadership Symposium and Policy Forum planning committees, the Web Talks committee co-chair, the Emerging Issues and Leading Practices subcommittee, and as former Director on the NCSEA Board. She is involved in associations and committees at the local level as well. Trish has presented on numerous topics at national, regional and local conferences, web talks and training workshops. In addition to her expertise in child support policy and practice, Trish’s expertise includes leadership topics such as performance management; strategic planning; and diversity, equity and inclusion. Trish has a master’s degree from Bethel University in Organizational Leadership and a doctorate degree in Public Administration from Hamline University.
Connie Chesnik
Administrator, Division of Family and Economic Security
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Connie M. Chesnik received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Connie has worked as an attorney for the State of Wisconsin for many years and is a frequent lecturer on family law issues. She is currently the Administrator of the Division of Family and Economic Security in the Department of Children and Families where she oversees Wisconsin’s child support, refugee and employment programs. Connie is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and is currently President-elect for the National Child Support Engagement Association. She is the 2021 recipient of the Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award presented by the Governor to an unsung heroine in State service.
Diane Potts
Director of Policy and Legislation, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Division of Child Support Services
Diane Potts is the Director of Policy and Legislation for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Division of Child Support Services. Diane serves as the Vice President of Policy and Legislation for the Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association (ERICSA). She leads the Policy and Legislation Committee and has been on the ERICSA Board of Directors for 7 years.
During her 30-year career in child support, Diane has served as an administrator, policy advisor, advocate, legislative consultant, national trainer, and litigator. She has argued over 100 cases on behalf of the State of Illinois in the Illinois Supreme Court, Appellate Court, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Diane won the Illinois Child Support Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Diane was appointed as an official observer to the Uniform Law Commission’s amendment of the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) and currently sits on the UPA’s Enactment Committee. Diane is a Past-President of the National Child Support Engagement Association (NCSEA) and its past Secretary, and an Honorary Lifetime Member. She served on NCSEA’s Board of Directors from 2013-2019, and again from 2021-2024. Diane received her law degree from Washington University Law School and her undergraduate degree from University of Illinois.
Rachel Tilley, Moderator
Quality Assurance Administrator
Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (FCCSEA)
Rachel Tilley was born in Columbus, Ohio and has lived in Franklin County her entire life. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, earning a BA in both Sociology and Criminology. Rachel has also taken graduate coursework through OSU’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs where she obtained a Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Leadership. She has been an ERICSA member since 2023 and is involved in several workgroups and committees through her local agency and within her community.
Rachel is the Quality Assurance Administrator at the Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (FCCSEA) where she has worked since 2016. Prior to her current role, Rachel held the role of Interstate Supervisor where she supervised 16 staff members that specialize in interstate processes and maintained approximately 6,500 interstate cases. The FCCSEA’s mission is to enhance family development and stability by providing innovative child support services that emphasize empathy, education, accountability, and collaboration. Rachel enjoys helping staff at her agency and throughout Ohio with their interstate inquiries. Rachel is passionate about giving back to her community and continued education. Her greatest joy in life is being the mother of her four amazing children, Olivia, Logan, Timothy, and Chloe.