7.2 State Parent Locator Service

Overview

The State Parent Locator Service (SPLS) is a federally mandated service within the Wyoming Child Support Program (CSP) that processes requests from other IV-D agencies to locate parties involved in the IV-D program; others authorized to establish and enforce child support, custody, and visitation orders; parental kidnapping cases; and Department of Family Services (DFS) diligent searches.

In order to locate a party, the SPLS is authorized to access state and federal sources of information and records relevant to the location effort. For information regarding who locate information can be shared with, see the Safeguarding Child Support Information Guidelines which can be found in Appendix 7A of this policy manual.

Policy

The Wyoming CSP Program established a SPLS in the State CSP Office. Please see Who's Who in the State Child Support Office for the name of the CSP Office staff member responsible for the SPLS.

The Wyoming SPLS will handle all locate-only requests from:

• other intergovernmental agencies;

• authorized persons involved in child support, custody or visitation;

• law enforcement officials involved in parental kidnapping cases; and

• diligent search requests from DFS.

Other Intergovernmental Agencies

Upon receipt of a locate request from another intergovernmental agency, the Wyoming SPLS will review all appropriate Wyoming locate sources including IV-A, Department of Motor Vehicles, and State Workforce files. The Wyoming SPLS will provide the other agency a written or electronic response including all mailing and residential addresses along with any possible employers.

Child Support, Custody and Visitation

In order for the Wyoming SPLS to proceed with a locate-only request in a child support, custody or visitation situation, the applicant shall be an authorized person as defined in 45 C.F.R. 302.35(c)(3) and shall not be receiving IV-A assistance.

• The applicant shall complete, sign, and date a Child Support Application (See Forms and POSSE Documents - DFS Form 543) as described in 6.2 Intake - Application.

• The applicant shall sign an affidavit which attests to the following:

  • • That the request is being made to obtain information on, or to facilitate the discovery of, any for the purpose of establishing parentage, establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and

    • That any information obtained through the Federal or State PLS shall be used solely for these purposes and shall be otherwise treated as confidential; and

• • That the requestor is the resident parent, legal guardian, attorney, or agent of a child not receiving assistance under title IV-A.

• The application and fee will be mailed to the State CSP Office for processing.

Once received, the Wyoming SPLS will create a POSSE case, review all appropriate Wyoming locate sources along with the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) and provide a written response including any information to the applicant within 30 working days.

Parental Kidnapping

In the case of parental kidnapping, the “locate-only” application will be completed as outlined in 6.2 Intake - Application. Upon receipt of the completed application and affidavit, the Wyoming SPLS will review all appropriate Wyoming locate sources along with the FPLS and provide a written response including any information to the applicant within 30 working days.

DFS Diligent Searches

In order to reduce the time it takes to locate missing parents for purposes of family reunification or termination of parental rights, the DFS Child Protective Services (CPS) may request locate services from the Wyoming SPLS.

Upon receipt of a standardized diligent search request form from CPS with at least a name and date of birth (DOB), the Wyoming SPLS will review all appropriate Wyoming locate sources along with the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) and provide a written response including any information to CPS within 30 working days.

The information that may be disclosed with respect to a child or relative of a child involved in a IV-B or IV-E case is limited to the following:

• Name;

• Social Security Number;

• Most recent address;

• Employer’s name and address; and

• Employer identification number.

Cross Reference

Who's Who in the State Child Support Office

Appendix 7.A - Safeguarding Child Support Information Guidelines

Forms and POSSE Document - DFS Form 543.