Child Support Initiative:
Research Framework

ANNEX B :CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

A. Research Framework:

Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
A.1 Develop research framework        
Produce draft research framework discussion paper Completed      
Undertake consultations with government stakeholders Completed      
Undertake consultations with non-government stakeholders   Completed    
Finalize research framework   Completed    
Update research framework document   Start: Dec. 1998 Ongoing Ongoing
A.2 Monitor implementation of research framework Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Implement programs of research        
Develop a model for project status reports        
Produce annual reports on research activities        
Produce final report on research activities (2002) (See also C.7)        
A.3 Support FPT Research Subcommittee Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Organize monthly conference calls and produce minutes        
Organize yearly face-to-face meeting        

 

CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

B. Guidelines Development
Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
B.1 Review, update and optimize SAS program sub-routines for producing award amounts, special expenses charts and case examples Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
B.2 Document technical products and produce annual reports   Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Describe formulae used to produce table amounts   Completed    
B.3 Monitor commercial software and facilitate development Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
B.4 Provide technical support for Guidelines workbook, reference manual and special case study examples Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
B.5 Monitor the effects of changing federal and provincial tax parameters on the table amounts and their effect on tax-deductible shared section 7 expenses. Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

 

CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

C. Monitoring of Guideline Implementation
Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
C.1 Conduct pilot phase of Survey of Child Support Awards under the Divorce Act        
Develop standardized worksheets for data collection (In-house & FPT Subcommittee) Completed      
Develop computer application for data collection and create data capture architecture Completed      
C.2 Conduct Survey of Child Support Awards under the Divorce Act (1998-2001)   Start: Oct. 1998 Ongoing End: Mar. 2001
Continue capturing data at selected sites   Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Conduct sub-study of Quebec awards (federal and provincial representatives)   Start: Dec. 1998 Ongoing Ongoing
Conduct sub-study of provincial awards   Start: Dec. 1998 Ongoing Ongoing
C.3 Study relationship between custody arrangements and the Guidelines   Start: Sept. 1998 End: Mar. 2000  
Analyze data from Survey of Child Support Awards under the Divorce Act        
Conduct special study of families with shared custody, including children's perceptions        
Study adult children and the Guidelines (special expenses and university education)   Start: Dec. 1998    
C.4 Study of perceptions and attitudes of key actors (e.g., lawyers, court administrators, MEP staff) and parents towards Guidelines
Phase I (1998/1999) Phase II (1999/2001) 		  Phase I Start: July 1998 End: Mar. 1999 Phase II Ongoing End: Mar. 2001
C.5 Consider diversity issues relating to the Guidelines (impact on different ethnic and cultural groups) and integrate into all projects where possible   Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
C.6 Do case law review (to be managed by the Child Support Team's Policy Unit)   Ongoing Ongoing  
C.7 Produce final reports documenting research findings on monitoring the Guidelines (2000/2001)       Start: Apr. 2000 Ongoing until Apr. 2002

 

CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

D. Monitoring of New Enforcement Measures and Research on Specific Enforcement Issues

Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
D.1 Monitor Part I of the FOAEA   Start: Jun. 1998 End: July 1998 Start: Sept. 1999 End: Mar. 2000  
Conduct pilot study on use of Revenue Canada databases for tracing purposes        
D.2 Monitor Part II of the FOAEA   Start: July 1998 End:.Sept. 2000  
Pilot study on interception of Federal funds        
D.3 Monitor new Part III of the FOAEA   Start: May 1998 End:.Mar. 1999 Start: June 1999 End: Dec. 1999 Start: Mar. 2000 End: Sept. 2000
Pilot study on impact of licence denial        
D.4 Monitor parts I and II of the GAPDA Start: April 1998 Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Examine impact of removal of notice of intention        
D.5 Conduct feasibility study on "new hires" national database        
Conduct study to collect information on systems and databases used by other jurisdictions (e.g., U.S., Australia) Start: Jan. 1998 End: Jan. 1999    
Examine constitutional issues regarding the collection of information from employers by the federal government Start: Jan. 1998 End: Mar. 1999    
Research Canadian options for creating an employer reporting program   Start: Sept. 1998 End: Sept. 1999    
D.6 Conduct comprehensive examination of reasons for compliance with, or default on, child support orders Start: Feb. 1998   End: Mar. 2000  
D.7 Analyze returns from CCJS Maintenance Enforcement Survey   Start: June 1998 Ongoing Ongoing
D.8 Conduct special studies on related policy issues        
Research sanctions imposed by other jurisdictions (e.g., U.S., Australia, New Zealand, UK) and review civil contempt matters and outcomes in Canada   Start: Sept. 1998 End: Mar. 1999  
REMO Research Project with respect to Divorce Act:
  1. timing for confirmation hearings
  2. statistics with respect to variations interprovincially/internationally
   Start: Sept. 1998 End: Sept. 1999  

 

CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

E. Special Studies on Social Context
Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
E.1 Analyze National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth on issues of custody and access and child support        
Do preliminary analysis   Completed    
Do in-depth analysis of first cycle data  

Start: Jan. 1999
End: Sept. 1999

    
Do in-depth analysis of second cycle data     Start: Mar. 1999 End: Mar. 2000
E.2 Create socio-demographic profiles of payers and recipients   Start: June 1998 Ongoing Ongoing
E.3 Prepare and publish Selected Statistics on Canadian Families and Family Law (1997) End: Jan. 1998      
Prepare and publish updates (1999, 2000, etc.)   Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
E.4 Prepare database documentation and data warehousing to facilitate ad hoc requests for statistical analyses   Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
E.5 Examine short- and long-term economic careers of low-income payers and recipients   Start: Jan. 1999 Ongoing  

 

CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

F. Evaluation of Child Support Implementation and Enforcement Fund Projects
Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
F.1 Evaluate projects funded under the implementation component   Start: Dec. 1998    
F.2 Evaluate projects funded under the enforcement component        

 

CHILD SUPPORT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK: FOUR-YEAR WORKPLAN

G. Law Information Research
Task Name Status
  1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001
G.1 Research information needs of selected target populations        
Conduct bibliographic search of both electronic and library sources to create a database of law information, research and evaluation materials on child support and related issues Completed      
Research and focus test suitability of communications materials for aboriginal groups Completed      
Conduct detailed analysis of March 1997 Environics survey on attitudes toward payment and enforcement of child support Start: Nov. 1997 End: June 1998    
G.2 Analyze public awareness of Guidelines (Canadian Facts, 1998) Start: Jan. 1998 End: July 1998    
G.3 Analyze public awareness of Guidelines (repeat surveys 1999, 2000 and 2001)   Start: Jan. 1999 Ongoing Ongoing
G.4 Conduct national overview of FPT communications activities Start: Feb. 1998 End: June 1998    
G.5 Assess law information needs of target populations (PLEI Organizations)   Start: June 1998 End: May 1999