Executive Summary
On October 6, 2025, Alaska Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) launched the nation’s first modern, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system designed specifically for the complexities of child support. CSED departed from traditional modernization approaches and launched the Alaska Child Support Enforcement Services System (ACSESS) in just 20 months, a full month ahead of schedule.
The Alaska Modernization Project (AMP) replaced a decades‑old, disjointed mainframe with a single solution that automates workflows, expands digital access, and improves service delivery. As a federally regulated program, CSED was required to complete a rigorous federal certification process covering more than 1,600 requirements. ACSESS achieved federal certification in just 29 days—the fastest in child support history and the first fully integrated COTS system to do so—validating both the system and Alaska’s modernization approach.
By solving real business challenges, protecting service continuity, and delivering measurable outcomes from day one, CSED has redefined what successful child support modernization looks like. This transformation will have meaningful impact for families nationwide—expanding access, improving timeliness of payments, and making it easier to navigate services in a system that supports approximately 1 in 5 children nationwide. Alaska’s success proves that modernization does not have to be long, risky, or disruptive—and establishes a clear, replicable blueprint for other states.
