February 23, 2006
ATLANTA (GA) – A group of outstanding state child support enforcement agents became the second class to graduate from a special certification program designed to increase professionalism, retain highly qualified staff, and improve customer service. Georgia is among a handful of states that certify child support agents. DHR’s Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) developed the program four years ago in an effort to strengthen services to families in Georgia. Admission is competitive, and graduates may receive special consideration for management positions within the agency.
The 19 newly certified agents work in OCSE offices around the state in Albany, Americus, Atlanta, Carrollton, Columbus, Eastman, Ellijay, Jesup, Nashville, Rome, Swainsboro and Waycross.
“We serve about 24 percent of Georgia’s children,” says OCSE Director Robert Riddle. “That’s a big responsibility, and we make customer service our highest priority. The key to good customer service is maintaining a well-trained, motivated staff. The certification recognizes agents who have made a strong commitment to giving the best possible service to the families that use our programs.”
OCSE developed its certification program in partnership with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Participants take courses in ethics, communication and conflict resolution, intake, locating parents, establishing a child support case, enforcement, managing the financial aspects of a case, and handling cases that cross state lines, as well as electives from subjects such as teamwork and exceeding customer expectations. They must also design a special project aimed at improving some agency function, and pass a final exam.
For information, contact:
Barbara Joye, 404.657.1385
brjoye@dhr.state.ga.us
