DHSS Press Release |
Date: September 23, 2005 DHSS-92-2005 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Jennifer Epler Phone: (302) 326-6024 x277 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMPACT OF AMNESTY PROGRAM ONGOING
The week-long Amnesty Program offered by the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) June 20th - 24th may be a distant memory for some, but for the Division, it is far from over. Not only is the Division tracking the financial impact the program has had, which has resulted in a grand total of $94,952.66 in payments to custodial parents, but it also closed the loop with some of the non-custodial parents (NCPs) who were eligible for the amnesty program but did not participate.
This spring, the Division sent out 2,400 letters to NCPs who had an outstanding capias in Family Court for failure to meet child support obligations. One hundred and seventy NCPs came into DCSE offices during the week of June 20th to participate in the program. For various reasons, such as outstanding warrants in other courts or lack of funds, all were not able to participate. However, DCSE did receive payments from 114 NCPs totaling $30,389.57. The largest amount paid by one NCP was $1,300.00. The average payment was $205.00.
In a press conference to kick-off Amnesty this June, Division Director Charles E. Hayward pointed out one of the major focuses of the Amnesty Program. "Although we collected money during the week of Amnesty for some kids who have not received regular and timely payments, the program itself is not about the amount we collect. It is about bringing absent parents back into the system on a long-term basis. We want them to commit to making payments every month, not just paying a one-time support payment to remove their capias."
As of September 19, 2005, twelve weeks after the program ended, 77% of the 114 NCPs made at least one additional payment. Fifty-nine percent of the 114 NCPs have made multiple payments. Since June 27th, 457 payments have been made totaling $64,563.09. "I would call that a success, considering this group of parents did not necessarily have a history of making regular payments. Now, more than half of them are making some kind of payment," said Hayward.
Division officials published a WANTED poster in local newspapers in late August that listed the names and identifying information of twelve NCPs who owed back support and had an outstanding capias. The Division's customer service unit received some tips from callers after the ad appeared in the paper. The goal of the ad was to encourage these individuals to turn themselves in. Recently, the Division has begun to work with law enforcement officials across the state to apprehend some of these individuals. So far, one individual has been arrested and Division officials are waiting to see what kind of payments can be collected.
"We didn't want it to come to this," said Hayward, "but at some point you have to get the message across that if you aren't going to try to help yourself and your family, then action must be taken. Sometimes that action comes in the form of an arrest."
The Division will continue building relationships with law enforcement officials so that arrest for failure to meet child support obligations can be another enforcement tool that is available when all else fails.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
