The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

August 8, 2008

Court Liaison Program helps children get child support from noncustodial parents

We like that Garfield County’s Child Support Office has joined a statewide program to help parents keep up with child support payments.

While many noncustodial parents do a great job and provide for their children’s needs, too many don’t pay child support. And who suffers then? Sadly, its the children who suffer. First they’ve lost one of their parents, then they miss out on the support.

This new program, the Court Liaison Program, helps noncustodial parents find jobs and remain employed so they can pay their child support.

The reasons why parents don’t pay their court-ordered support vary. Lack of education or training, felony convictions, long-term illness, lack of transportation, mental illness and drug or alcohol abuse often are factors.

Under the Court Liaison Program, noncustodial parents can get help. They can be court ordered into the program, be referred by their caseworker or voluntarily participate.

Garfield County Child Support Office’s liaison will help by visiting job fairs, finding employers who will hire ex-offenders and working with CareerTechs and other educational institutions to help noncustodial parents find the training they need.

Right now, five parents are enrolled in the program in the Enid office. That may not sound like a lot, given the Enid Child Support Office has more than 3,000 active cases in Garfield and Grant counties. But, it is making a difference for the children of those parents.

We hope the program does nothing but grow. Any parents who need help can contact the Care Line at (877) 608-4724 or visit the Enid office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2006 W. Willow.

We would encourage parents to enroll. We’ve all heard the cliché “it’s all about the children.” In this case, it really is.

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