Department: Domestic Relations
Department Head/Elected Official: David W. Simpson, J.D., Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA:
? Regular RCA
? Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): Contract Number: 22-C0086
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Office of the Texas Attorney General
MWDBE Participation (if applicable): N/A
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Domestic Relations for approval to accept an award from the Office of the Attorney General of Texas grant funds in the estimated amount of $2,500,238 up to a maximum of $15,812,975, with a discretionary match of $220,996, for the FY 2021-23 Integrated Child Support System Title IV-D Program.
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Background and Discussion:
In 2003, Harris County enhanced its child support services by creating the FOCAS (Focus on Collections and Services) Program. FOCAS is a partnership of the Family District Courts, Domestic Relations Office (DRO) and the OAG using federal funds. FOCAS monitors and enforces child support through income withholding, tax intercept, liens, contempt and other methods; provides parent locator services; enforces medical support; assists with enrolling children in health insurance plans; provides employment referrals; provides review and adjustment of child support orders; and more. The renewal of the grant for Integrated Child Support System Cooperative Services between the OAG and the County would continue providing comprehensive, effective and efficient child support services. The DRO has provided these services for eighteen years. The contract is retroactive to September 1, 2021.
Expected Impact:
The contract pays Harris County to monitor/enforce child support with the competence and experience of its partner agencies together with the comprehensive arsenal of enforcement services provided by the federal government. Federal legislation allows the OAG to pass through federal dollars at 66% reimbursement to counties that p...
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