Changing Attitudes:
Non Custodial Parents and the
Child Support Enforcement Process
Innovative Partnership Aimed
to Bring About Change
Fill the Gap Program
Rev. Ernest and Cheryl Breaux
21st Judicial District Court, Support Enforcement
Hon. Leonora Estes, Hearing Officer
Amite Region Support Enforcement Services
Ms. Joette Chavers, Supervisor
Our Common Goals
-Have parents positively impact their children’s lives
financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
-Give parents the tools and skills they need to accomplish
this.
-Help parents understand the purpose of child support –
that it is all about their child.
-Help IV-D agencies work together more effectively
by providing documentation on program referrals.
Service Region
The 21st Judicial District encompasses three
rural southeast Louisiana parishes located
on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain:
- Tangipahoa
- Livingston
- St. Helena
Fatherlessness in Louisiana
Births to unmarried women and teens:
Indicator
U.S.
Louisiana
Tangipahoa
Livingston
St. Helena
Births to
Unmarried Women
29.1%
40.2%
49.3%
28.5%
54.7%
Births to
Teen Mothers
7.7%
12.1%
15.0%
12.0%
--
Annie E. Casey Foundation, KIDS COUNT State-level Data,
http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/StateLanding.aspx?state=LA
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/
Johnson, Tallese, Dye, Jane. Indicators of Marriage and Fertility in the US from the American
Community Survey: 2000-2003 http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/fertility/mar-fertslides.html
Children in Poverty
Indicator
Children in Poverty
U.S.
Louisiana
Tangipahoa
Livingston
St. Helena
29.1%
40.2%
49.3%
28.5%
54.7%
Divorce and unwed childbirth costs Louisiana taxpayers
approximately $670 million per year.
Annie E. Casey Foundation, KIDS COUNT State-level Data,
http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/StateLanding.aspx?state=LA
Scafidi, Benjamin. (2008) The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing: First-Ever
Estimates for the Nation and All 50 States
Support Enforcement Services
Louisiana SES statistics show:
– 284,393 cases (as of 5/2010)
2008-2009 fiscal year:
– 27,459 paternity establishments
– 21,611 new child support orders
established
Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Assistance, Support
Enforcement Services Overview:
http://www.dss.state.la.us/Documents/OFS/SESOverview_rev_03_0.pdf
Support Enforcement Services
Louisiana Support Enforcement Services 2008-2009
collections total:
Current
Support Due
Statewide
Amite Region
Current
Support
Collected
$443,049,046 $253,874,627
$23,302,947
$13,267,321
% Current
Support
Collected
57.3%
56.9%
Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Assistance, Support
Enforcement Services 2008-2009 Statistics
http://www.dss.state.la.us/assets/docs/searchable/OFS/Statistics/Stat0809/SupportEnforce/fy0809_SES_Prod.pdf
Cases – Rules Court
In the 21st Judicial District:
-Approximately 7,808 collection cases
-Over 43% of these parents are facing
possible incarceration for non-payment of
child support.
So what is going on?
Survey conducted by the National Fatherhood Initiative:
99% indicated that being a father
is an important part of who they are!
Yet only 57% of them are paying child support…
Deadbeat Dads – Is it a Myth or Reality?
Reality is:
Many are not unwilling to pay – they are unable to pay!
Often those who are to pay have just lost
sight of the purpose of child support.
Why Don’t They Pay?
-Unemployed/underemployed and lack skills to
maintain employment.
66.3% of referrals unemployed
30.1% of those employed are underemployed
-Undereducated/Illiterate.
42.5% of referrals have less than a high school education
50.0% have only a high school diploma/GED
Why Don’t They Pay?
-Other barriers to employment such as criminal history
or lack of transportation.
42.6% have a previous or pending criminal offense
72.4% do not have a driver’s license
-Experienced a life event from which they have not
recovered.
-Are angry with the person who has custody.
Why Don’t They Pay?
-Denied visitation by custodial parent (thus angry).
26.3% report they rarely/never have contact w/children
15.7% have only occasional contact with children
-Have no connection with their children.
-Feel trapped in a system they do not understand.
-Support order is more than they can afford to pay.
17.1% of referrals have more than one case
-Large arrears amount – default orders
What IV-D Agencies Do to
Encourage Compliance
Administrative remedies include:
• Income assignment orders
• Locate and contact
• Licenses suspension
• Offsets
• Credit Bureau
• Court Actions
What IV-D Agencies Do to
Encourage Compliance
Judicial enforcement:
• 90 days incarceration
Fails Our Common Goals!
How Fatherhood Initiatives Help
Fatherhood Initiatives partnered with the Court
and Support Enforcement Services perform an
important function that helps to make the job of
enforcing child support orders much easier.
Fatherhood Initiatives work with noncustodial parents and address the very
issues that stop non-custodial parents
from paying their child support.
Fill the Gap Program
Fill the Gap Program, a part of Christian Community
Council, is a faith-based community outreach program
*Operating since October 2003
*Partnered with the 21st Judicial District and Amite
Region Support Enforcement Services
(Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Helena parishes)
*Works with non-custodial parents who are in
Collections with Support Enforcement
Services.
Results – Change in Attitude
Fill the Gap Program Participants Referred Between
January 2009 - January 2010
according to April 14, 2010 LA Delinquent Payers List
77.8%
in payment status
September 2006 - January 2010
according to April 14, 2010 LA Delinquent Payers List
72.1%
in payment status
This demonstrates long term change in attitude!
How Fill the Gap Helps
We provide non-custodial parents a helping hand as we:
-Help them understand child support enforcement and
court expectations.
-Help them find full-time employment
-Encourage them to build productive relationships with the
custodial parent.
-Encourage them to become more engaged in their
children’s lives.
-Encourage them to overcome barriers that are
preventing them from living successful, satisfying
lives.
How Fill the Gap Helps
10 classes
Orientation – “venting time,” discussion on court &
SES expectations, plan of action
Class topics – includes parenting and relationship
skills, communication skills, life skills such as goal
setting, how to find and keep employment
In class assessments completed at each class;
discuss how will meet court & SES expectations,
contact with child(ren)
How Fill the Gap Helps
Reporting
Report progress with program, employment
information, other pertinent data (each court
appearance) to Hearing Officer, SES, Public
Defender, Assistant District Attorney
Report changes in information, requests, etc.
Report on referrals and participants
Reports assist court and SES in making decisions
How Fill the Gap Helps
Attend Court
Make sure client understands what they are being told
Encourage clients keep track of court dates, payment
amounts/receipts, etc.
Encourage them to actively participate in process
Help them help themselves
How Fill the Gap Helps
Continued Monitoring
Those who have completed classes – continue to
monitor them via telephone for up to one year
Contact and remind of court dates.
Offer services as needed.
Results – Change in Attitude
Fill the Gap Program addresses the disconnect noncustodial parents experience.
It provides the one-on-one services these parents need…
This results in non-custodial parents
who experience long term change of
attitude toward the payment of child
support
Results – Change in Attitude
Non-custodial parents begin developing problemsolving strategies to overcome barriers in life.
Child support payments become a greater priority,
resulting in non-custodial parents wanting/
making payments.
-Participants paid on avg. $2,695 compared to $1,646 paid by
referrals that did not participate
-Participants on average made more payments
(9 pmts vs 4 pmts)
Non-custodial parents trying harder to work
cooperatively with other parent to co-parent
children and spend more time with children.
-32.20% showed an increase in visitation/contact
Results – Effective Alternative
Viable, cost effective alternative to
incarceration
– Savings to taxpayers
- More space in jails for serious offenders
Fill the Gap Program cost per referral: $1129*
Cost of 90-day incarceration: $3150**
Savings of $2021
*Based on 155 referrals, with two year funding of $175,000
**Based average Louisiana taxpayer cost of $35 per day, according to National
Institute of Corrections http://www.nicic.org/Features/StateStats/?State=LA
Results – Effective Alternative
•Parents have a better understanding of the
role of Support Enforcement Services.
•Parents have a better understanding of the
importance of paying child support.
Results – Effective Alternative
Custodial parents have greater assistance
in parenting responsibilities.
Payment of Child Support improves
relationship between the two parents.
–
Children are connected to both parents
resulting in healthier outcomes.
Results – Change in Attitude
Responses from Program Participants:
“Allowed you to deal with emotions, to hear others on how they get
through their struggles. It gave you suggestions on how to improve
relations – with mother and child; encourage you to stop putting
yourself down – system down, but to focus on your child.”
“Fill the Gap is a very educational class that encourages individuals
about themselves, and help rebuild; what it takes in your life to feel
good about yourself day to day, staying strong minded and help to
be successful.”
“I am able to learn more about parenting skills and
information about court proceedings.”
Long Term Success – Change in Attitude
Cornelius
Cornelius was the Hearing Officer’s worst nightmare. He was very angry with
the support enforcement system, and was working for cash to avoid paying
child support. After attending several FTG classes, Cornelius went back to
work in his trade and began making child support payments. Cornelius
realized that he was only hurting himself and his daughter with his anger.
Three years later we saw Cornelius – he was still making payments, still
working in his trade, and had rebuilt his relationship with his daughter. He
was able to watch her graduate from high school.
Tyronne
Tyronne had four child support cases with four different mothers. Tyronne
admitted that he was young and foolish, and only had a relationship with one
of his children. When referred to FTG, Tyronne was married and
unemployed. Even though he did not have any children with his wife, they
were raising four children belonging to other family members who were
involved in drugs or incarcerated. FTG was able to refer him to a local
employer, who hired him. Today, Tyronne is still working for the same
employer (three years now) and states he loves his job. He continues to be
in payment status, with his child support payments being deducted from his
wages.
Long Term Success – Change in Attitude
Eric and Nikki
When referred to FTG, Eric was angry and had a negative attitude towards
child support and his ex-wife, who refused to let him have visitation with the
other two children. Eric chose not to work in his trade any longer because of
safety hazards , the requirement to travel out-of-town, and the fact that he
had custody of one son who was exhibiting pretty severe behavioral
problems. He felt the need to be home every night with this son. In addition,
Eric and his wife Nikki were raising Nikki’s two children and had his mother
living with them.
Eric and Nikki both indicated that they were grateful for FTG classes – they
were able to apply what they learned in class at home, improving family
harmony. Eric also said one of the biggest benefits for him was that he quit
being angry about paying child support. We still run into Eric and Nikki, and
they continue to do well. A while back Eric and his ex-wife had contact when
a family member was ill, and Eric said that for the first time, it did not end in
an argument. He is still hopeful for the day when he will have access to and
a relationship with his other two children.
Long Term Success – Change in Attitude
Christy
Christy lost her parental rights three years previous to being referred to FTG.
However, she still had not accepted her responsibility in the loss of her
children. When Christy completed all ten classes, we really felt a bit defeated
because we saw not even a speck of change in her attitude, even though
she was making her payments each month. About six months after
completing FTG, Christy was arrested for possession (which, again, she did
not take responsibility for and said the drugs belonged to her boyfriend).
Christy was court ordered to a drug recovery program. About six months
after starting her drug recovery program, Christy stopped by a FTG class
meeting. She said that she had to stop by to tell us how much better she
was doing in her life and to say thank you. She indicated that for the first
time in a very long time she was happy, had a sense of peace and
contentment, and acceptance of herself. She also stated that the only
reason she was able to be in the place she was and accept the help she was
receiving in her drug recovery program was because of the seeds FTG
planted in her through FTG classes.
“It’s All About Your Child”
Informational video created by Fill the Gap
Program
It’s All About Your Child provides custodial and noncustodial parents information on the important role both
parents play in the healthy well-being of their children. It
also encourages non-custodial parents to stay current
with their child support payments and get help
immediately if they run into problems.
Available on line at:
www.ftgprogram.org
Want more information? Contact us:
Rev. Ernest and Cheryl Breaux, Fill the Gap Program
- 985-974-5586 or cbreaux@ftgprogram.org
Hon. Leonora Estes, Hearing Officer, 21st Judicial District Court
- 985-748-9445
Ms. Joette Chavers, Supervisor, Amite Region Support
Enforcement Services
- 985-748-2208