Child Support Programs for Unemployed Parents

Unemployment has continued to be a national concern and affects more than local and national economies. Joblessness affects a person's capacity to provide for their loved ones. Understanding that parents suffer financial set backs, many states have created programs which support parents find jobs and maintain stable employment.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) has a primary mission of enforcing parental financial obligations to support their children. Consistent with its mission, the Division created its Fatherhood program. Through the Fatherhood Program, parents unable to meet their court ordered support obligations, because of unemployment or inadequate employment, are provided employment assistance. The Peach State's Fatherhood Program is the largest state run program of its type in the nation and has served over 15,000 non-custodial parents in the past ten years. Taking three to six months to complete, the initiative aids parents by providing access to vocational training and General Education Diplomas (GEDs) programs as well as teaching strategies for gaining full-time employment.

For the state of California, over 1.6 million child support cases are handled annually. Under a 1996 California law, these parents are subject to having their license- drivers, business or professional- suspended until their support payments are current. With higher than normal unemployment, California's Department of Child Support Services offers the Get Back On the Road program. Working in conjunction with the State's Department of Motor Vehicles, parents interested in this license release option must be able to make a month's support obligation payment and must make a small payment of at least $ 25.00 towards their support arrearage. In addition, these non-custodial parents must be able to provide current employment status and if necessary provide information about their current financial situation.

Rhode Island and the District of Columbia have fatherhood programs as well. Rhode Island's program, called the Fatherhood Initiative, is geared toward helping non-custodial parents, mainly fathers, obtain job training and placement. For the nation's capital, its program, The Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program, is a partnership between the District's Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Services Division (CSSD) and the Department of Employment Services (DOES). In D.C.'s program, unemployed parents received guidance with job searches and employment retooling. For Georgia's neighbor, Alabama, their Fatherhood Initiative considers unemployment as a result of other community related issues. The Alabama state's program works to improve parent child relationships, helps parents find employment opportunities, provide parents with counseling, and assist with educational opportunities and training.

International, federal and state law require parents to take care of their children's physical, social and financial needs; however, child support obligations can create frustration and stress in these tough financial times. An unemployed non-custodial parent is subject to fines, penalties and even incarceration when they fail to meet their obligations. But, if there are no jobs, there is little hope for relief; however, many states have found a way to save more than tax payer dollars. Through Fatherhood initiatives many children get the benefit of having the financial and emotional support they need.