The Road to DC: Vision, Perspectives, and the 2026 Policy Forum

The Road to DC: Vision, Perspectives, and the 2026 Policy Forum

Author: NCSEA January 27, 2026 Duration: 36:47

Pack your bags—the child support community is headed to the nation's capital! In this episode of On Location, Tim Lightner and Betty Tegegne (Research Associate with the Center for Policy Research) catch up with 2026 Policy Forum Co-Chairs Carla West (North Carolina Division Director ofHuman Services, which includes Child Support, Economic Services, Aging, and Operations) and Dr. Trish Skophammer (Director, Ramsey County Child Support in St. Paul, Minnesota).  Discover what has the chairs most excited this year, from high-level policy discussions to the powerful networking that only happens in D.C. Whether you’re a Policy Forum veteran or still considering your first trip, join us for a preview of the brewing energy behind this year’s event.


If you haven’t registered (for either in-person or virtual attendance), please visit www.ncseapolicyforum.org and secure your spot!


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…