LOS ANGELES COUNTY : New Computer Keeps Track of Child Support Payments

Los Angeles County officials today will unveil a new automated computer system designed to improve the collection and distribution of child support payments.

The $50-million system was designed by Lockheed Information Services to handle a child support caseload of 650,000, more than a quarter of California’s total caseload.

The system began operating Feb. 6 but its performance has not been glitch-free. Officials said support payments for about 60 families were held up for several weeks because the computer replicated some numbers that caused the accounts to be out of balance.

However, officials says the problems have been relatively minor and that the overall performance of the computer has been good.

“It’s one of the unfortunate problems that occur when you are trying to do a major modification,” said Wayne Doss, director of the Family Support Unit of the district attorney’s office. “As nagging as the problem was for the families we are trying to get the checks out to, it really didn’t take us long to recognize the problem. I’m sure we’re going to be working out little (glitches) for several months.”

Los Angeles County officials have been criticized for failing to provide adequate child support services, ranking among the lowest in the state in locating absent parents and recovering payments.