Section Chief Deb Cunningham said all enforcement technicians have made Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM) a priority each week. They have begun using Web-based tools to freeze and seize money in a wider variety of checking and savings accounts.

"Our staff has embraced new methods for getting more collections using FIDM," Cunningham said. "This will help us get more money into the hands of families as they pay for expenses such as food, medical care and education for their children."

Each week, the state Office of Child Support receives information regarding financial institution records for assets belonging to delinquent parents. From that search, Child Support receives a weekly report of all financial assets of parents whose past-due Child Support meets tax offset requirements.

In the past, techs checked the report only if a case was being reviewed for some other action. It came from a spreadsheet that was nearly two months old.

Cunningham says technicians have been encouraged to branch out from checking and savings accounts to areas such as money market accounts, IRS’s, compound accounts, certificates of deposit.

"Accounts that for most of us are considered to be extra money," Cunningham said. "Or at least not the money we use to live day-to-day."

When Cunningham suggested a Web-based tool that provides access to weekly reports, a team of frontline workers decided to give it a try. The team includes Ericka Steffee, Tiffany Miller, Catrina Jimmar, Emily Jackson, Richelle Richardson, Patrick Monk, Daniel Bleh, Amanda Northcutt, Angela Robinson and Christy Selkirk.

"They found it easier to read and use," Cunningham said. "April is just the first month that we are really seeing a big difference. I think it is just the beginning of what will have significant impact on collection of past-due support."