The NCSEA Policy Forum brings together leaders shaping the future of the child support program each year in Washington, D.C. As a proud NCSEA member, Public Knowledge® (PK) will join partners and leaders across the field to examine key issues and share insights that affect families nationwide. PK will also contribute to the program agenda with a session planned in part by Jonell Sullivan, focused on supporting the workforce through organizational change.

Join PK at This Session

Steady Hands in Unsteady Times: Supporting Child Support Professionals Through Challenges

Thursday, January 29 | 1:30–3:00 PM ET

Session Planners: Jonell Sullivan, Elizabeth Atwell, Shannon Woods. Panel Participants: Dr. Wendy Anson, Heather Noble, Alana Tucker, Natalie Dillon. Moderator: Matt Sautter.

Child support professionals manage complex workloads and sensitive family situations while adapting to constant change. This session explores ways to help staff stay engaged and effective during periods of uncertainty. Matt and Jonell will discuss why change efforts succeed or struggle, the leadership behaviors that build stability, and strategies that maintain clear communication across all levels.

Additionally, the panel will include directors who will reflect on their experiences with process and system changes. A supplemental virtual fireside chat will continue the discussion for remote attendees.

How PK Supports Change

Organizational change often challenges programs not because teams lack expertise, but because people need clarity and confidence to shift to new expectations. PK’s organizational change management approach helps agencies create the structure required for smooth transitions.

Our team helps agencies:

• Guide transitions with less stress and clearer expectations.
• Strengthen adoption of new systems, processes, and workflows.
• Build engagement strategies that keep staff aligned and responsive.
• Reduce productivity loss during uncertain periods.
• Align change activities with broader project goals for greater impact.

With Prosci®-certified practitioners and decades of experience supporting child support programs, we bring a structured, people-centered approach that makes change manageable.

Meet Our Team at the Policy Forum

Jonell Sullivan, Management Consultant

• 28 years of experience in child support services and organizational development, including policy implementation, legal compliance, and strategic planning.
• Led statewide initiatives at the Arizona Department of Economic Security to improve case management, increase collections, and enhance performance metrics, including the development of Arizona’s Service Delivery Plan for Enhanced Child Support Services and the PJAC Grant implementation.
• Excels in leadership, innovation, partner engagement, and grant management, earning the 2020 WICSEC Innovative IT award and Desert Sunflower Award for championing domestic violence prevention in child support services.

Camilla Johnston, Management Consultant

• More than 20 years of experience advising state and federal agencies on procurement, policy development, risk management, and quality assurance.
• Led and supported complex system procurements, modernization efforts, and independent QA initiatives across health, human services, transportation, and child welfare programs.
• Former Assistant Attorney General with deep expertise in administrative law, rulemaking, and government operations, bringing a strong legal and governance lens to large-scale initiatives.