Families

Child Support Program Keeps Families Better Connected

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Child support case managers often used to field the complaint, “Why should I pay child support when I don’t even see my kids?”

Typically, parents have to file separately for child support and child custody or visitation. But many parents have felt intimidated by the court system or were daunted by the need to hire attorneys to arrange for visitation or custody. As a result, many non-custodial parents were not paying child support and rarely spent time with their children.

So the San Diego County Department of Child Support Services developed and launched a program called Parenting Time. It establishes a custody order and a child support order at the same time, if both parents agree to the legal arrangements. The goal was that if the parent and child bond remained strong, it was more likely that the non-custodial parent would pay his or her child support order.

“The well-being of the child is the overarching objective of the Parenting Time program,” said Jeff Grissom, director of Child Support Services. “We hope to foster healthy relationships between the child and both parents and establish consistent payments. Since the program started, 270 Parenting Time orders have been drawn up in San Diego.”

The program was implemented in October 2013 and is intended to create better communication between parents – since both must agree to terms – and increase parent involvement, both of which are beneficial to the child or children. Grissom said participants in Parenting Time indicated they had increased communication and improved the relationships with the other parent and their children.

In assuming a new role that helps establish custody and visitation, the department partnered with the nonprofits YWCA and Becky’s House, which both offer services to escape and overcome domestic violence and homelessness. Together, they helped create a safety plan and screening questionnaire to make sure the children and parents are not placed in a dangerous situation. 

To enroll in the program, both parents must live in San Diego County. No current restraining order, child support order or divorce or separation court proceedings can currently exist. Child Support cannot interfere with or alter any existing legal orders.

Parents who participate in the program essentially save the money they would have had to pay for a child custody order and often don’t have to pay court filing fees, which can cost upwards of $400 just to get on the court calendar.

The program is advertised on the Child Support website, and case workers usually discuss it with parents if they do not already have a child custody order.

The National Association of Counties recently recognized the program for its service to those families.

 

 

 

Yvette Urrea Moe is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact