DHSS Press Release |
Date: August 30, 2006 DHSS-71-2006 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHILD SUPPORT MONTH KICKS OFF WITH NEW INITIATIVES AUGUST 31 2006 - JOIN US
Delaware - On Thursday August 31, 2006 Chuck Hayward, Delaware Health and Social Services’ Director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement, will read a proclamation on behalf of Governor Minner declaring September Child Support Month in Delaware. The event will take place at the Churchman’s Road Child Support headquarters at 11:00 am. Director Hayward will announce other events and activities that will take place during Child Support Month, including an event to unveil the Most Wanted Poster Campaign and details of the increased enforcement measures to be taken on non-custodial parents with a warrant for not paying their child support.
"We continue to do well in collecting money for the children of Delaware (a new record was set in 2005 of $96 million collected) but we realize it isn't all about dollars and cents. Parents are important for reasons other than financial ones. First, the child needs to know who their parents are. Acknowledging paternity is a critical step in the process of building a relationship with your child that lasts a lifetime," says Hayward.
"I am proud of the success we’ve had and we will continue to push for aggressive and innovative reforms that will help single parents gain the resources they need to provide their children the childhood they deserve," said Director Hayward. "Child Support Month represents an opportunity to salute parents who support their children emotionally and financially and honor the child support professionals across the state who are committed to making a difference in the lives of children through their work." he adds.
Getting unmarried parents to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP) for their child at the time of birth is something that the Division will promote throughout the state during Child Support Month. When a father and mother sign the VAP in the hospital, both parents will be named on the child's birth certificate. The benefits of having the father's name on the birth certificate are numerous; it
- Provides access to medical benefits for the child.
- Protects a child's rights to Veteran's, Social Security and inheritance benefits.
- Allows the child to access family medical history.
- Gives the child the emotional benefit of knowing the identity of both parents.
- Begins to build the bond for a lasting relationship.
DCSE will work closely with local hospitals to help educate parents about Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity and other methods of paternity establishment.
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.
