Judicial Services Report 2016, 225th Anniversary Edition

DRS Outreach Initiatives The Lancaster County DRS has developed and implemented initiatives to reach out to specific groups within the community.

DRS Inmate Outreach Program

The DRS provides services to incarcerated clients. The Inmate Outreach Program was created to encourage in- creased communication between the DRS and clients incarcerated at Lancaster County Prison (LCP). The program has helped the DRS establish a professional rapport with specific clients and facilitate case actions due to the exchange of infor- mation. DRS staff meet with clients incarcerated at LCP to answer case questions and/or to provide information about the programs and services available through the DRS. DRS staff visit the prison twice monthly in order to meet with any client who has requested a meeting. DRS staff members access and/or update case information remotely within the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System (PACSES) Database.

DRS Participation in Re-entry Management Organization (RMO) Program

As part of the Lancaster County Prison (LCP) Family Responsibility & Parenting Course, staff from the DRS provide infor- mation about the child support program to those transitioning out of LCP and returning to the community. The course par- ticipants are provided with an opportunity to ask questions about the child support program and are encouraged to main- tain contact with the DRS.

Teen Parenting Program

DRS launched an outreach effort related to a Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE)-designed program which is geared toward public school districts within Lancaster County. The goals of the program include:

x informing teens about the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program; x educating teens about the responsibilities of parenting; x reducing child support cases with parents under the age of 18.

As demand for the program has grown, additional staff members have received the required training and DRS’ outreach efforts have expanded beyond public schools to include specialized teen programs.

Veterans’ Program

The Domestic Relations Veterans’ Outreach Program was organized to assist military Veterans’ in managing their child support cases. Many Veterans’ have large child support debts which are a major impediment to their achieving financial stability. Domestic Relations staff assists the veteran in filing for modifications, reducing their arrears, reinstating Driver's licenses, and insuring that they consistently meet their monthly child support obligations while maintaining financial stabil- ity. The outreach program also works alongside local Veterans’ Administration facilities to identify and assist any Veterans’ who may be participating in VA-sponsored programs and need help in managing their child support case while participat- ing in these programs. The Lancaster County DRS child support program continues to be committed to program innovation and continuous im- provement as we strive to address the needs of the families relying on child support services.