moratorium

moratorium
[mawr-uh-tawr-ee-uh m, -tohr-, mor-]
noun, plural moratoria

1. a suspension of activity:
2. a legally authorized period to delay payment of money due or 

the performance of some other legal obligation, as in an emergency.
3. an authorized period of delay or waiting.

CSEA case worker stated: "A one-year moratorium has been placed on all judicial enforcement actions for juvenile cases." to an obligee… and we had questions. An email was sent 3/11/2015 to Cuyahoga Job and Family Services:

CDS: 3/11/2015
We were contacted by a custodial parent after a conversation with CSEA. Her CSEA case worker told her: "A one-year moratorium has been placed on all judicial enforcement actions for juvenile cases." If this is true, what is the explanation? Is there advice for families that need assistance? Do you have any suggestions as to how we can direct people to assist them and elevate the work load at CSEA?

Cuyahoga Job and Family Services: 3/12/2015Yes, in order to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of the contempt process, we did stop filing contempt actions in juvenile court. We are in the process of resuming contempt actions now, and anticipate filing our first actions within the next week or so.

CDS:  3/13/2015 5:54 PM  

I am sorry my initial email was misleading. CDS's intention is to "alleviate" the work load at CSEA (rather than “elevate” as I mistyped). Can you tell me the following:
 What date was the moratorium initiated?
 What prompted the moratorium?
          Understaffing at CSEA?
          Prosecuting attorneys overload?                       
          Judicial System backed up?
Who initiated the moratorium?
          CSEA?
          Judicial System?
          Prosecuting Attorneys?
What alternatives are custodial parents given?
How do you intend to prioritize the number of cases that are back logged?
A large number of custodial parents have turned to us for help and hope.
Can you guide us?
Specifically - What alternative actions are available?
How will they be able to have their case heard in a timely fashion?
Do you suggest private Child Support programs?

Cuyahoga Job and Family Services: 03/23/2015 10:50 AM
We stopped filing contempt actions in Juvenile Court in December 2013, because at that time there was a significant backlog of cases on the Juvenile docket for both contempt actions and purge review actions. This time allowed us to focus on utilizing administrative remedies, and also for the court to address backlog issues.
We continued to exhaust administrative remedies, including contacting parents to obtain payments; location of employment and assets for the issuance of income withholding orders; referrals to employment readiness programs to assist with barriers in maintaining employment; FIDM actions which seize money from bank accounts; passport denials; income tax offset; criminal non support felony charges; etc. I would continue to encourage parents to contact us to discuss their case specifically. It is always helpful if they can provide us with as much information as possible about the non-residential parent.
Here are also a couple of links to federal guidance on judicial contempt actions which will guide our use of this enforcement remedy.

www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/css/resource/turner-v-rogers-guidance
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/css/resource/alternatives-to-incarceration

The Juvenile Court and Prosecutors office have both been excellent partners in working to find ways to address these issues. Child support cases are heard by magistrates who only address child support issues. We are currently reviewing cases which did not get filed previously, and focusing on cases that match the screening requirements. I cannot take a position on recommending private collection agencies. As with any contract, I would highly recommend that parents understand what they are agreeing to before entering into the contract. For example, how much will the collection agency retain? What services are they providing?

Note from CDS:
Interested in an alternative? Consider a private child support enforcement agency.  

Child Support Recovery Service (a member of the “Child Support Enforcement Council”).

“It is unfortunate to see child support cases that government agencies have been unable to provide assistance for. If you are a custodial parent that has been unable to collect court ordered child support then we suggest trying an alternative route. A private agency such as Child Support Recovery Service not only will give your case the individual attention it deserves, but you can try it risk free. If we are unable to collect for you then there is no cost. If you are struggling to care for your child without the support of the other parent, then the chances are that you do not have the money to spare for an attorney and you do not have the time to wait for the CSEA to collect. Let us help. You do have another option.” www.childsupportrecovery.com