This bureau is responsible for collection of child support in behalf of children who are in state custody or 24-hour care. Federal law (Title IV-D) requires collection of child/medical support for children receiving federal Title XIX (Medicaid) and/or Title IV-E (Foster Care) funds (both titles are from the Social Security Act). State law (62A-1-117, 78A-6-1106) also mandates this collection program. This bureau is also responsible for third party insurance collections for the Utah State Hospital and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) interim assistance for the Department of Workforce Services.
During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $699,500 from all sources for Children in Care Collections. This is a 2.4 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $265,300 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 2.7 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.
For the most recent completed fiscal year, the following information represents the purposes for which the money was used:
Regarding the negative trend greater than 5% in the divisions of Child and Family Services and Juvenile Justice Services collections from the Office of Recovery Services Children in Care Collections program performance measures, the agency states, "Collections for these programs have declined in the past few years due to higher emphasis on in-home placement, shorter periods of time in state custody, and increased juvenile court waivers of child support requirements. ORS expects that this number will continue to decline."
COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.