This document was written to provide state and local child support offices with help in refining their case processing systems. The guide is divided into five chapters. Chapter I, Case Processing Overview, defines case processing and the case processing functions and provides a narrative description and graphic illustration of the processes involved in a case processing workflow. Chapter II, Planning and Management Considerations for Achieving Efficient and Effective Systems, emphasizes the importance of establishing case processing goals and objectives which support goals of the child support program; presents some essential steps of the planning process; and discusses staff involvement, staff training, component compatibility, resource allocation, and documentation. Chapter III, Elements Which Expedite Case Processing, identifies and discusses elements which help to expedite case movement and lists elements common to good case processing systems. Chapter IV, Elements of Caseload Management Which Enhance Case Processing, defines case management and discusses the need for case management and its relationship to effective case processing. Chapter V, Improving Case Processing Productivity Through Office Automation, discusses what an automated case processing system is and what benefits an organization may obtain from using office automation technology. A model for automating a case processing system is discussed. Four activities and 28 figures are included. (NB)