Sandy Cloer - Division Director for EBCI Tribal Child Support - GreenCourt Connections

In this episode of GreenCourt Connections, host Jay Bland welcomes Sandy Cloer, Division Director for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Tribal Child Support, TANF, and Representative PAYEE programs. Sandy shares her journey from aspiring nurse to accountant, and eventually to her unexpected but rewarding role in social services. She reflects on helping create the tribe’s child support program, which officially launched in 2012 after several years of planning and collaboration. The discussion highlights the unique aspects of tribal versus state-run programs, including the importance of sovereignty, the use of the Model Tribal System, and innovative enforcement methods like casino garnishments. Sandy also discusses the recent approval for tribal tax intercept, which she sees as a major step forward for collecting overdue child support. Looking ahead, she hopes to fully implement this initiative and continue improving outcomes for children and families within the tribe.