Letter to Local Newspaper

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Below is a letter that we sent in to a local newspaper. It was printed on September 22, 1999.

More problems with the Child Support Office

First off, the main reason for the increased collections of child support is by the wage withholding and tax intercept. The money they receive from the Federal Government is to go back into the program to help cover costs. If the caseloads are too great for them they are to hire more help.

In 1997 I went to the CSE office to get the child support order enforced. I am what is considered rare; a Custodial Father. My children’s mother had not paid support nor had any contact since July 1997. My case is difficult since she moved out of state.

At first I am told it would take 6 to 8 months, then 8 months to a year, then a year to two years. Ten months went by and I was getting tired of the run-around so, I called the Deputy Prosecutor. Within two weeks I received a payment. The CSE said she is making an effort to pay therefore there is "nothing they can do." To me it’s not an effort.

Other replies I received are; "I don’t know", "We don’t do that here", "that would make us look bad" and "We are not an attorney." True, but is it too much to ask them to know the state and federal laws pertaining to child support?

Every week I call or go down to the office to see what is happening with my case. Last week my caseworker hid from me! When I asked if I could talk to her I was told she was "busy." She was at a desk in same room just behind a divider. I thought I was the only one that they were being rude to but, I have been down there before when other clients are down there and they walk away upset with no help from the CSE. We are their clients; we pay taxes, which in turn they get paid from.

From my experience with the CSE I produced a web site called Caring Parent’s Voice. www.oocities.org/Heartland/Forest/7170. On this site are all the state’s laws pertaining to child support, visitation and custody. Also is the site for the Child Support Enforcement Office of Washington D.C., the UIFSA Guidelines Handbook and a lot more informative readings. I have found out that this not only occurs in our county but all across the nation. And, the only way we are going to be able to accomplish anything is to start speaking out.