Child support help for Delawareans
Delaware state officials are unveiling a new job training and education program this month aimed at helping people have a better shot of meeting their child support obligations.
Officials hope it will bring down the staggering amount of uncollected child support in the state..
There are more than 81,000 child support cases in Delaware, but many of the parents involved are struggling with the basics they need to make sure their kids are okay.
State officials like Ted Mermigos want to change that.
"The goal is to have only-custodial parents specifically find better or find employment opportunities that will help sustain their lifestyle as well as being able to pay their child support."
Starting this month, the Department of Child Support Services is teaming up with the Delaware Fatherhood Program and the Department of Social Services to get people the skills they need.
Mermigos says the program will refer people in need to training and job opportunities.
"It's identifying individuals who are under-employed or unemployed and the making a referral to an employment and training vendor who will do an assessment and really look at some of the needs of these referrals."
Officials with the Division of Child Support Services say it's not just about cracking down on people who owe child support and they're looking for ways to change public perception.
One local resident says she thinks the new initiative is a good idea.
"I think it will change public perception because it wouldn't be looked down on as negative. It would be trying to take a negative and make it a positive."
The program will be available for people in three counties. Mermigos says his department is working to get everyone to buy into the new program.
"We would like the courts to take that opportunity to refer them to the Delaware fatherhood program and let us take a chance trying to find them gainful employment."
Over $300 million in child support goes uncollected every year in Delaware.
Glover says the new program might help make a dent in that number.
"It's a great idea because with the condition now people are looking for jobs and if they are putting things in place to help create jobs that's perfect! Sounds like money to me."
Child support officials say they hope others will feel the same way and sign up. They say they are hoping to help at least 100 people enrolled each month.
The theory is that by supporting parents, the kids who at the center of these cases will have a better life.
Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to call and speak with a child support specialist.
Those numbers are listed here:
New Castle County 302-577-7171
Kent County 302-739-8299
Sussex County 302-856-5386
