Exploring Strategies for Developing Effective Child Support Driven Employment Programs
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
2:00 p.m – 3:15 p.m. Eastern
This was a FREE webinar!
Description
With the recent authorization of full Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for employment and training initiatives, states are now exploring innovative ways to implement these new services. Historically, many states have achieved success through demonstration projects and various program initiatives. Join us to gain insights from experts in Tennessee, Illinois, and Georgia, who have extensive experience in delivering these services. They will share their experiences, including both successes and challenges, along with valuable lessons learned, inspiring success stories, and essential considerations for launching similar programs in your state.
Recording and Materials
Thank You to Our Sponsor!
Speakers
Debbie Abrams-Cohen
State Director
Tennessee Child Support Employment & Parenting Program
Debbie Abrams-Cohen, LMSW is the Statewide Director of TCSEPP, the Tennessee Child Support Employment & Parenting Program. Debbie began working in Knox County with TCSEPP at UT SWORPS in 2007 helping parents who are ordered to pay child support. Debbie now oversees TCSEPP across Tennessee. Prior to working at the University of Tennessee, Debbie worked at the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the Salt Lake County Children’s Justice Center, and the University of Utah’s Social Research Institute. Debbie received both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from the University of Utah.
Shannon Longino
Outreach Manager
Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
Shannon Longino is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the human services field. She has dedicated the past 8 years to the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), where she has excelled in a variety of roles including Parental Accountability Court Coordinator, PAC Supervisor, PAC Program Consultant, and PAC Program Manager. In her current role as Outreach Manager, Shannon oversees three key outreach programs aimed at enhancing support for families and improving child support outcomes across the state.
Shannon has held significant management positions in the probation field and the field of education, further broadening her impact and demonstrating her versatility as a leader. Her multifaceted background and unwavering dedication to her work makes her a vital contributor to the field of child support services.
Shannon earned a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Albany State University.
John Strickland
Fatherhood Program Manager
Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services
John Strickland is a native of Swainsboro, Georgia. He was placed in foster care at age six and remained in care until he graduated from Brantley County High School in 1981. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Brewton-Parker College in 1987.
During his 26 years tenure with the Department of Human Services, Mr. Strickland has completed various certification trainings to include Certified Survival Skills Facilitator, and Certified Raising Father/ Raising Children Curriculum, each of which increased his knowledge of the importance of male involvement within the family structure. Mr. Strickland has also been awarded the Governor’s Customer Service Team of the Year Award, and Hero of the Year by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services. These tributes exemplify amazing teamwork, customer care, and continuous support of the agency’s vision of stronger families for a stronger Georgia.
In addition to his core duties as Fatherhood Program Manager, Mr. Strickland has successfully served as assistant coordinator and host of six Fatherhood Celebration events and twelve Fatherhood Conversation events in various locations statewide. The events are designed to celebrate fathers and publicly acknowledge the importance of fathers’ role in their children’s lives. The events also bring awareness to the Georgia Fatherhood Program and services offered within the local community, which exist to encourage and assist fathers struggling to maintain personal, financial, and emotional obligations to their children.
Bryan Tribble
IV-D Director
State of Illinois
Bryan Tribble began his career with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services–Division of Child Support Services (CSS) in June 2001 as an accountant. In January 2006, he was tasked with leading the Professional and Recreational License Revocation project, which culminated in the initiation of the process by which Illinois hunting and fishing licenses are denied at the point of sale. In February 2008, Bryan became the manager of the Administrative Driver’s License Suspension project for CSS. Bryan continued in this role until August 2012 when he became the assistant manager of Policy for CSS, a position that offered him an opportunity to marry his knowledge of child support with his passion for research, analysis, and implementation. In August 2017, Bryan was elevated to the position of manager of Policy for CSS, where he eventually not only oversaw policy and CSS-related legislation, but also statewide child support training and the business analysts working in Program Support. Most recently, Bryan was named the IV-D Director for the State of Illinois in January 2021.
Bryan has been an active member of the Illinois Family Support Enforcement Association (IFSEA) Board of Directors, serving as First and Second Vice-President (2011 and 2010, respectively), as well as President (2012). As the Illinois IV-D Administrator, he continues to serve on the Board as an appointed director. Bryan also has served as faculty on numerous occasions at the Illinois Judicial Education Conference, an annual conference organized and presented by the Illinois Supreme Court in conjunction with the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. Additionally, he has been active on the national level speaking at multiple conferences and on educational panels. Bryan also has been involved with the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA), serving on the Leadership Symposium Committee (2014-2016) and the Emerging Issues and Best Practices Subcommittee of the Policy and Government Relations Committee (2012 through 2018 and 2022 to 2023) and the Policy and Government Relations Committee presently. In 2020, Bryan joined the NCCSD Policy and Practice Committee, and has continue to serve on this Committee through to the present and is currently serving as the Co-Chair of this committee.
Patti Wood
Director of Operations, Child Support Field Services and Family Assistance and Child Support Contracts
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Patti Wood serves as the Director of Operations for Child Support Field Operations and Family Assistance and Child Support Contracts for the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Patti began her career in child support in 1998 as a caseworker and has served in various leadership positions in both private and public sectors. She began her career with the Department of Human Services in 2009 as the Office Administrator for the Fourth Judicial District; the only state operated full-service child support office in Tennessee. In her role as Director of Operations, Patti provides oversight for full-service child support offices in 32 Judicial Districts serving all 95 counties, Central Registry, Contract Management for Family Assistance and Child Support, Child Support Re-entry Team, and child support modernization activities. Patti received a Bachelor of Science degree from Tusculum College and master’s degree in strategic leadership from Tennessee State University.
Moderator: Kelly Micka
Director
Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector
Kelly Micka is a Director with Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector based in Washington D.C. and has nearly 30 years of experience in health and human services programs. She has extensive experience with the child support enforcement program, having served as an attorney representing the State of Tennessee, and working with numerous state and local IV-D programs to manage federal grants, analyze legal processes, and design and implement child support systems. She has served as a board member of the National Child Support Enforcement Association, as chair of the Policy and Government Relations Committee and has chaired numerous conference planning committees. She has presented at many state, regional, and national child support conferences on the topics of intergovernmental case processing and legal ethics and is a member of the WICSEC Presenter Hall of Fame. Kelly earned her J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law and her degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee.