WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN!

Enjoy four exciting plenaries including the return of the in-person IJ Fair and our famous ERICSA State Team Wars after the business breakfast, as well as forty-five workshops and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit.

The plenaries and workshops selected by the Conference Planning Committee touch on a variety of relevant topics including, but not limited to, interjurisdictional processes, legal ethics for child support professionals, safeguarding of information, mentoring child support leaders for the future, and technological advances.

Again this year, the On-Site Committee has planned several events for our attendees to relax, enjoy themselves, and network with fellow professionals and colleagues. On Sunday night, please join us to honor our President, Lisa Skenandore, at the annual President’s Reception.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we will have our usual breaks and time to visit in the Exhibit Hall. On Wednesday night, be sure to attend our ERICSA Dinner Banquet. 

The members of the ERICSA Board of Directors look forward to meeting attendees in Grand Rapids in April! 
 

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Registration is at the 600 capacity and is now closed.

 

GRAND RAPIDS

From world-class attractions and outdoor recreation to nationally ranked food and craft beverage scenes – Grand Rapids, Michigan is filled with unexpected surprises. Discover why Grand Rapids is America’s Best Beer City, the nation’s Craft Beverage Capital, and a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City. Get an eyeful of spectacular art and an earful of live music. Check out the city's deals and discounts.

In April, the average high is 57° F and the average low is 35° F. The spring brings the reemergence of the region’s lush natural wonders. Pack with layers in mind, as there can be a significant temperature variation from morning to night.

Resources that are helpful for conference attendees:

SUGGESTED DRESS CODE

We suggest business-casual dress for all conference workshops. You are invited to wear your party clothes for the President’s Reception, but you will also be comfortable in business casual.
 

ORDER CONFERENCE MERCHANIDISE

ERICSA shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and caps are available in multiple colors, sizes and styles. All items are available in black, purple, red and royal blue. All profits from the sale of these items go into the ERICSA Gordon Bailey Speaker Fund. You must provide payment using a credit or debit card when ordering. The merchandise is available for pre-sale through Wednesday, March 6, 2024. A limited number of extra items will also available at the conference. It’s best to order in advance to get your size and color choice. 

Your merchandise will be available for pick up at the conference.

SUNDAY PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION

Plan to join us on Sunday evening for our President’s Reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the hotel. This event is included for attendees registered for the conference. This will be your first opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. Tickets are available for purchase for non-attendees. Come and enjoy food and a cash bar as we honor and thank our current President, Lisa Skenandore, for her service and leadership of ERICSA.
 

ERICSA HAPPY HOUR & DINNER BANQUET

Make sure to join us on Wednesday night for the 2024 ERICSA Dinner Banquet which will have great food, friends, and most importantly, fun! The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner. Once dinner ends, we have more fun planned with a short walk to a private ERICSA after party. Join us for a night to remember!!
 

CLE CREDIT

ERICSA traditionally has been able to provide several hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credits at each annual conference. Due to differences in State requirements, ERICSA is not identifying which workshops may be eligible for CLE. ALL workshops will have a sign-in sheet to prove attendance. An ERICSA Certificate of Completion showing each session attended will be provided for the attorneys who would like CLE credit. There will be a fee of $50 for this service.
 

CHARITY

ERICSA is supporting a local charity Kids' Food Basket during our conference. More information can be found here.
 

ERICSA SCHOLARSHIPS

Once again ERICSA is offering two scholarships to IV-D child support workers currently employed in a Title IV-D child support program (includes state, county, tribal, international, and contract staff for attendance at the Grand Rapids, Michigan conference).

One scholarship will be awarded to a child support professional outside Michigan and one will be awarded to a Michigan child support professional.

The scholarship award will cover the registration fee for the successful candidates as well as transportation costs to and from the conference up to $500.00, hotel room and a stipend for the days the candidate attends the conference.

Scholarship Applications were due Thursday, February 15, 2024.

Congratulations to the 2024 scholarship award winners!
  • Danielle Rice, Intergovernmental Case Manager Assistant, Traverse City, MI
  • Amanda Knights, Child Support Specialist II, Westminster, MD

Questions? Contact Timothy Cawoski at TimothyCawoski@PACSES.com
 

ERICSA PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

ERICSA is pleased to continue our recognition program to honor child support professionals! Nominations were due on Friday, February 16, 2024. Winnerrs will be announced at the conference and posted here.
 

IT'S A "WIN-WIN" SITUATION: VISITING OUR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS AND ATTENDING OUR WORKSHOPS

You can be a winner! What do you have to do? Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall to meet representatives from the organizations and companies that graciously sponsor the ERICSA conference. Attendees will receive a game card in their registration packet that requires them to visit all exhibitors in the vendor area to complete game. Drop off your completed card (with your name on it) at the ERICSA booth, and you’ll be entered into the daily drawing for a prize during the afternoon breaks.
 

FIRST TIMERS

Is this your first time attending an ERICSA Conference? Join us for an opportunity to hear about the ERICSA organization, get an introduction to the conference and ask questions in an informal and relaxed setting. It’s a great way to get acquainted with others who are attending the conference for the first time and meet some ERICSA board members! Stop by Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
 

MANDATORY MODERATORS MEETING

If you are a moderator, attendance at this meeting is mandatory. Moderators will be provided information regarding the conference along with specific scripted information that needs to be provided to attendees at each workshop. Moderator meeting times: Sunday at 3:30 p.m. or Monday at 12:00 p.m.
 

JOIN THE ERICSA FAMILY

ERICSA members primarily come from states east of and bordering the Mississippi River; however, membership is open to all. As a non-profit organization, ERICSA uses registration fees to further the training for child support professionals. ERICSA also provides its members a voice to Congress and the Uniform Law Commission (National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws) as they debate changes in child support laws. Joining is easy. Attend this conference, and you’re automatically a member for one year.

If you are unable to attend, you can fill out the membership information here.