Oregon Trailblazers: Compassion and Innovation in Oregon Child Support

Oregon Trailblazers: Compassion and Innovation in Oregon Child Support

Author: NCSEA January 28, 2026 Duration: 51:35

On this episode of On Location, host Scott Eder sits down with Daniel Garcia, a lead child support worker in Salem, Oregon, to discuss the unique challenges and innovations within the state’s child support program. The conversation explores specialized teams for incarcerated parents and students, alongside the grit required to manage complex interstate cases with empathy. Tune in to learn how Oregon caseworkers balance high caseloads with a commitment to mental health and family stability.


Ever wonder what happens when you pull a microphone out at a conference or a community meeting? That's the spirit of NCSEA On Location. Instead of polished studio sessions, this podcast captures conversations where they naturally happen-in hallways after a panel, at international gatherings, or in quiet corners of bustling events. You'll hear directly from Human Services professionals, from caseworkers to policy architects, along with advocates and community stakeholders who are deeply involved in the system. The discussions are immediate and grounded, offering a raw, unfiltered look at the challenges and innovations in public service. Each episode feels like you’ve stepped into a meaningful, spontaneous dialogue, one that continues long after the formal agenda ends. The authentic atmosphere is even complemented by original music from Joe Mamlin, whose granted compositions frame these real-world recordings. Brought to you by NCSEA, this series is for anyone curious about the human stories behind government services, preferring the sound of genuine exchange over a rehearsed script. Tune in to a podcast that truly travels, bringing you voices from the field exactly as they were heard on the ground.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

NCSEA On Location
Podcast Episodes
A Conversation About Tennessee’s Child Support Reentry Program [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:11
On today’s episode, Tammy Pearson (YoungWilliams) hosts Patti Wood (Director of Operations, Child Support Field Services and Family Assistance and Child Support Contracts for the State of Tennessee, Department of Human S…
A Look Back in History - The First Episode Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:57
Today's episode was recorded on location in Washington DC in February of 2018 at the NCSEA Policy Forum. Joe Mamlin and Lori Rumage-Cain host, and bring back to share that very first On Location program — a conversation…