JFS podcast interviews child support supervisor

Seneca County Public Relations Director Jimmy Flint and Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services Project Manager Mindy Strup-Kummerer interviewed DJFS Child Support Supervisor Michelle McLaughlin for episode six of the Seneca County JFS experience podcast. During the interview, McLaughlin was asked about how she started in JFS, what her current job responsibilities are, her favorite and least favorite things about the job. The trio also discussed what DJFS is doing in August which is Child Support Awareness Month. McLaughlin who is originally from Upper Sandusky began working for Seneca County DJFS in 2006. Her first 9 months on the job were spent digitizing paper files. She said that process allowed her to gain a better understanding of the job because she got to see all of the paperwork and see what was needed for cases. She then moved on to be a caseworker and did that for 11 years. As a caseworker, she did some paternity establishment when the specialized caseworker was not available and enforced support orders, which is usually done through income withholding. In 2017, McLaughlin became a lead caseworker and in that role she trained caseworkers and worked on interstate cases. "Interstate cases can be between Ohio and another state or Ohio and another country. Those cases are more complicated because you have to know the laws of other places," she explained. Then in 2021, she moved into her current role of Child Support Supervisor. "I worked with Michelle in child support from 2019-2021. She is such an advocate for child support. You would be hard pressed to find somebody that is more dedicated to helping people with their support orders. She is such an assest to people even beyond Seneca County," said Strup-Kummerer. Currently, the Child Support department has 7 caseworkers. One of the caseworkers is specialized in paternity establishment and intake and another one is specialized in interstate cases. McLaughlin said most of her day is answering questions caseworkers have, training caseworkers and answering phone calls. "I think working as a caseworker has made me a better supervisor. I have done everything I'm asking them to do," she said. She also said that technology has changed over the years and so have the programs. The biggest change in child support came a few years ago when Ohio changed the support calculation guidelines. It was the first time the guidelines had changed in many years. McLaughin said her favorite aspect of her current job is training because she can teach caseworkers what she knows and benefit the DJFS team overall in doing so. The most difficult part for her is learning the financial side of child support, which can be very complicated. McLaughin and Strup-Kummerer then discussed the addition of the web portal which parents can sign up for if they have a child support case. The web portal allows users to stay updated on their case, update information, keep track of payments and talk to their caseworker without having to call or come to DFJS. Parents can register for the web portal at jfs.ohio.gov/ocs/index.stm. There is also a mobile app available that can be found by searching Ohio Child Support in the app store. They also shared that August is Child Support Awareness month and the theme is "One in a Melon," which is a play on words for the phrase One in a Million. To celebrate Child Support Awareness Month, you can wear the color green on Aug. 4. DJFS is also running a promotion for August where a parent who has had their driver's license suspended due to lack of payment can pay one month of child support to have their license reinstated. Normally three months of child support payments are needed to reinstate a license. If you are eligible for this promotion, you can contact your case worker via the web portal or mobile app or you can call the call center at 419-447-5011 ext: 2606. Strup-Kummerer and McLaughin also mentioned the drive through genetic testing that DJFS has available. Genetic testing is every first and third Thursday of the month and when the weather permits, the drive through testing is available. "We will have signs posted at DJFS instructing you where to go. The collector will be outside with a supply cart and will wheel it to your vehicle. You can then swab your own cheek and kids can stay in their carseats. It is very convenient," McLaughin explained. DFJS also has a seek work program available for child support. If you are having issues with employment and meeting child support obligations, you can contact your caseworker. The team will help with securing employment and gaining new employment skills if needed. Flint then asked McLaughin what she enjoys doing outside of work. She said she enjoys spending time with family by having cookouts and swimming. McLaughin also enjoys making crafts. "She is very talented. One year for Christmas she made handmade wooden gingerbread women and painted them as gifts for everyone. We have tried encouraging her to sell her crafts," Strup-Kummerer said. Flint ended the podcast by asking McLaughin what her favorite business in Seneca County is. She said her favorite is JFS. You can find Seneca County DFJS Facebook by searching for Seneca County DFJS on Facebook or visit their website https://djfs.co.seneca.oh.us. If you have any questions, you can reach DFJS at 419-447-5011. The seventh episode of the Seneca County JFS Experience is in editing and will be available soon. You can find all episodes of the podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.