Ohio Child Support Professionals Association

Event Schedule:

10/17 - 10/18/22 Fall Training

Hilton Columbus/Polaris

Please select any sessions you wish to attend

Monday

	Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
Opening Remarks/50 Years of IV-D	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	9:30 AM	12:00 PM	10/20/2025 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Join our esteemed panelists and guests as we discuss the important milestones in our IV-D program, celebrate our county agencies, and highlight the strong partnerships we have with ODJFS and OCS, the Judiciary, the Department of Children and Youth, Fatherhood, and others.
Credit Card Payments	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	1:30 PM	2:45 PM	10/20/2025 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
De-Escalation in Action: Strategies for Calming Conflict and Building Understanding	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	1:30 PM	2:45 PM	10/20/2025 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Presenter: Dr. Michael Newsom This presentation explores practical techniques and communication tools to defuse tense situations and prevent conflict from escalating. Attendees will learn how to recognize early warning signs, manage their own responses, and apply proven de-escalation methods. Whether in the workplace, classroom, or community, these skills promote safety, empathy, and positive outcomes.
Establishing the Groundwork: Paternity and Service in Child Support Cases	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	1:30 PM	2:45 PM	10/20/2025 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Presenter: Erin Espenschied, Esq. This session is Part One of a multi-part series designed to walk participants through the entire lifecycle of a child support case. In this segment, we focus on the initial and foundational phases: establishing paternity and achieving effective service of process. Understanding these early steps is crucial for building enforceable support orders and ensuring due process.
Strengthening RMS Compliance: Practical Strategies and Insights	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	1:30 PM	2:45 PM	10/20/2025 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Presenter: Alan Thompson and Levi Hill Join staff from the County Monitoring and Technical Assistance team for a practical session on effectively monitoring your agency’s Random Moment Sampling (RMS) process. Learn why RMS oversight is critical, explore real-world examples of non-compliance discovered during recent county monitoring visits, and gain valuable insights into how to avoid common pitfalls. The session will also highlight the technical assistance services available to support your agency in maintaining compliance and improving RMS practices.
Understanding Secondary Trauma in the Legal Profession	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	1:30 PM	2:45 PM	10/20/2025 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Presenter: Laura Valentino Attorneys and GALs are regularly exposed to the trauma of others, which can take a toll over time. This session will define secondary trauma, explore its impact on legal professionals, and offer concrete strategies for recognizing symptoms, utilizing coping strategies, setting boundaries, and protecting long-term well-being.
Building Mental Resilience: Coping with Setbacks Without Losing Motivation	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	3:15 PM	4:30 PM	10/20/2025 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM Presenter: Laura Valentino This session explores practical, research-informed strategies to build mental resilience in high-stress legal roles. Participants will gain tools to navigate professional setbacks, stay grounded during emotionally charged cases, and maintain motivation over the long term.
SETS “Financials” for Non-Financial Workers	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	3:15 PM	4:30 PM	10/20/2025 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM Presenter: Kinyata Carter This session will cover, at a high level, various financial processes and functions in SETS. The goal of this session is to help non-financial workers gain a better understanding and properly interpret what they might see on financial screens while working in SETS.
Seven Keys to Successful Leadership	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	3:15 PM	4:30 PM	10/20/2025 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM Presenter: Amanda Riess Being a successful leader for an organization is an exceptionally important role. This session will provide insight on how to excel in a leadership role by providing the 7 keys to being a successful leader. This session will explore ways for those already in leadership positions to enhance their leadership skills and provide insight to those aspiring to grow into leadership roles.
The Child Support Order: Support Establishment and the CS Guidelines	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	3:15 PM	4:30 PM	10/20/2025 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM Presenter: Scott Scherger and Cassandra Walter This session is Part Two of a multi-part series designed to walk participants through the entire lifecycle of a child support case. In this segment, we focus on the establishment of support orders and the application of child support guidelines. Attendees will gain an understanding of how support amounts are calculated, including what factors are considered in the calculation, and what steps need to be taken to ensure orders are legally sound and enforceable.
Understanding CSEA Documents: What Every Employer Needs to Know	10/20/2025	10/20/2025	3:15 PM	4:30 PM	10/20/2025 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM Presenter: Charmin Hetrick, Karen Bennett and Eileen Garcia An overview of the events Sandusky County & Cuyahoga County put together to educate employers on CSEA documents we send, what is essential for them to complete, how to complete them correctly, what we do with the information, and how they partner with us to ensure that child support is reaching the families we serve.

Tuesday

	Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
A.I. in the Workplace	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	8:30 AM	9:45 AM	10/21/2025 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM Presenter: Brad Bennett The use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), particularly generative AI (GAI), is exploding. And this new frontier has the world of employment law in catch-up mode. This session will introduce and review AI, GAI, including how it is being used, and will discuss legal issues and potential liability that may arise from using artificial intelligence tools in employment under existing laws and under the EEOC's regulatory guidelines.
Beyond the Basics: Navigating Complex Child Support Scenarios	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	8:30 AM	9:45 AM	10/21/2025 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM Presenter: Scott Scherger This session is designed to deepen child support workers’ understanding of intricate and less frequent child support calculation issues. Topics will include variable income, non-traditional benefits, derivative Social Security income, and self-employment cases. Attendees will work through real-world examples and develop tools for accurate, equitable guideline applications.
DISC - Understanding Yourself and Others	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	8:30 AM	9:45 AM	10/21/2025 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM Presenter: Dawnielle Pierce Assessment required prior to attending the session. The DiSC model provides a common language people can use to better understand themselves and those they interact with—and then use this knowledge to reduce conflict and improve working relationships. Your DiSC report focuses on your personality and behavioral style, describing your behavior in various situations—for example, how you respond to challenges, how you influence others, what is your preferred pace, and how you respond to rules and procedures. This in turn will help you ignite teamwork, leadership, and communication in the workplace and beyond.
DNA Diagnostic Center and the New Genetic Testing Contract	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	8:30 AM	9:45 AM	10/21/2025 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM Presenter: DDC Staff This session will be presented by staff from our new genetic testing vendor, DNA Diagnostic Center (DDC). Presenters will answer questions on testing scenarios, discuss the new sample collection categories, provide guidance on the DDC Direct Portal system, and will also demonstrate how the self-swabbing test is administered.
Enforcing the Order: The Process and Tools Available to Encourage Compliance	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	8:30 AM	9:45 AM	10/21/2025 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM Presenter: Jim Nietz, Ryann Levering-White, Nate Frank and John Ventura This session is Part Three of a multi-part series designed to walk participants through the entire lifecycle of a child support case. In this segment, we delve into the enforcement phase of the child support case. This session will cover the default process and explore the wide range of tools and legal mechanisms available to ensure compliance with support orders after —including financial institution data matching (FIDM), tax refund intercepts, and more.
Endgame Excellence: Navigating Case Closure - Part 1	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	10:15 AM	11:30 AM	10/21/2025 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Cassie LaFollette and Valerie Fletcher *This workshop includes three sessions which should not be taken as standalone sessions; each session within the workshop builds upon the previous session. Join us for an insightful workshop where we will explore best practices, strategies, documentation and compliance for seamless case closures. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, we will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your case closure processes, ultimately contributing to Ohio's overall performance in the self-assessment.
Modification, Termination and Redirection	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	10:15 AM	11:30 AM	10/21/2025 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Victoria Lockhart, Amanda DeWitt and Traci Berry This session is designed to walk participants through the entire lifecycle of a child support case, with a focus on changes to the child support order through review and adjustment, redirects, and terms of support processes. You’ll gain an understanding of factors which trigger R&As, redirects and terms including required steps and best practices to ensure families receive the appropriate child support order.
Navigating Courtroom Challenges: Troubleshooting and Response Strategies	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	10:15 AM	11:30 AM	10/21/2025 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Traci Berry, Richele Stroop, Tanya Kidd, Melinda Carlson and Stephen Fondriest This session will discuss how best to communication and address challenging issues with courts and attorneys. Topics discussed will include how you keep them updated on legislative changes, make process changes, address impossibly written orders, etc.
Staff Shortages & Funding Slashes: County Pros Share Their Playbook	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	10:15 AM	11:30 AM	10/21/2025 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Caitlin Croft, Joyce Bowens, Jaime Freeman and Shelley Aukerman When performance declines, budgets shrink, or hiring freezes and vacancies limit your options, do you know which key factors to evaluate to adapt effectively? Join a panel of experienced county managers as they share the critical resources and innovative strategies they used, such as stratification, restructuring, and technology.
Using Technology to Manage Work	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	10:15 AM	11:30 AM	10/21/2025 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Justin Kleinknecht, Josh Edwards and Emily Jackson This session will feature counties sharing high tech and low tech solutions to manage daily work at their agencies. Columbiana will share how to build an app, Summit will showcase their caseworker dashboard, and Hamilton will show how they use Microsoft Excel to track performance metrics.
CS Confidential: What Info to Share and With Whom	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	1:00 PM	2:15 PM	10/21/2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Presenter: John Galonski and Michelle Drago Better than a summer blockbuster or NYT bestseller? Everyone wants to talk about this case! This session will cover the difference between a public records request and client or 3rd party inquiry—what must be disclosed, what can be disclosed, and what should remain confidential.
Endgame Excellence: Navigating Case Closure - Part 2	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	1:00 PM	2:15 PM	10/21/2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Presenter: Cassie LaFollette and Valerie Fletcher *This workshop includes three sessions which should not be taken as standalone sessions; each session within the workshop builds upon the previous session. Join us for an insightful workshop where we will explore best practices, strategies, documentation and compliance for seamless case closures. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, this workshop will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your case closure processes, ultimately contributing to Ohio's overall performance in the federal self-assessment.
Enforcement Strategies Roundtable: Best Practices for Child Support Case Workers	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	1:00 PM	2:15 PM	10/21/2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Presenter: Case Manager Collaboration Committee Participants are invited to share and explore effective enforcement strategies that promote compliance and support family outcomes. Attendees will discuss real-world challenges, proven approaches, and creative solutions to common enforcement issues. Whether you’re a seasoned worker or newer to the field, come ready to contribute your insights and learn from peers in this interactive, solutions-focused conversation.
Saddle Up for Success with Our Resource Roundup!	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	1:00 PM	2:15 PM	10/21/2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Presenter: Tamica London and Shanda Mustard Giddy up and get ready to ride toward success! Join us as we round up the most valuable tools, tips, and resources designed to help new hires thrive in the wild west of the child support program. Together, we’ll chart a trail to success that will include Beacon resources, onboarding checklists, and time management strategies. This isn’t our first rodeo, so saddle up and explore our well-stocked saddlebag filled with proven methods to help you on the journey ahead.
Staying Ahead of Change: Effective Workforce Planning	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	1:00 PM	2:15 PM	10/21/2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Presenter: Valarie Nash Prepare your organization for change with practical strategies in workforce planning, managing layoffs, and navigating complex classification systems. This session will equip you with the tools and insights needed to handle organizational transitions smoothly and effectively.
88 Counties, One Mission: Strengthening Partnerships to Champion Civil Rights	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	2:45 PM	4:00 PM	10/21/2025 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Presenter: Tricia Young, Stephen Stumphauzer, Beatrice Sanchez, Tonya Wilson and Johanna Gooding To educate and inspire county staff about the vital role of Civil Rights Coordinators (CRCs), and how BCR partners with counties to promote responsiveness and ensure civil rights compliance across Ohio’s 88 counties.
Castle Children: A Review of Case Law and New Legislation	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	2:45 PM	4:00 PM	10/21/2025 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Presenter: Traci Berry This session will provide a history the case law surrounding parental responsibility to provide child support for disabled children, as well as review of HB338 and its impact to agency practices.
Endgame Excellence: Navigating Case Closure - Part 3	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	2:45 PM	4:00 PM	10/21/2025 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Presenter: Cassie LaFollette and Valerie Fletcher *This workshop includes three sessions which should not be taken as standalone sessions; each session within the workshop builds upon the previous session. Join us for an insightful workshop where we will explore best practices, strategies, documentation and compliance for seamless case closures. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, this workshop will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your case closure processes, ultimately contributing to Ohio's overall performance in the federal self-assessment.
Going Off the Rails on the UIFSA Crazy Train: Basics and More	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	2:45 PM	4:00 PM	10/21/2025 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Presenter: Thomas Howard Do you have an IG case that makes you want to Bark at the Moon? Bring your case and be ready to figure out how to get it back on the rails. In this workshop we will be covering the basics for many IG topics ranging from paternity and support establishment; modifications; and enforcement. We’ll also have time to discuss difficult to work cases as we go.
Refilling Your Cup: Moving from Compassion Distress to Compassion Resilience	10/21/2025	10/21/2025	2:45 PM	4:00 PM	10/21/2025 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Presenter: Socorro Morgan and Julie Sespico As professionals in this work, you give from your cup every day, supporting people dealing with stress and hardships. It can sometimes feel like your cup is empty due to stress, exhaustion and heavy workloads. This session will provide participants with evidence-based tools, insights, and strategies to address burnout and vicarious trauma and increase individual resilience.

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