Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) and Department of Corrections (DOC)

1. Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)andDepartment of Corrections (DOC) Prison Paternity Project Presented by: Georgia Fatherhood Program Presented to: Future Fatherhood Participants Date: Varies Georgia Department of Human Services

2. Vision, Mission and Core Values • Vision • Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. • Mission • Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. • Core Values • Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. • Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. • Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. • Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.

3. Division of Child Support Services Workflow • Intake • Applications • Walk-ins • Mail • CSP • IV-A Referrals • Foster Care • Referrals Locate Automated Interfaces and Manual Searches are performed to locate Non- Custodial Parents Paternity Establishment DNA Paternity Test Enforcement Administrative and Judicial Actions are taken to collect delinquent payments (drivers license suspension, passport denial, tax intercept, lottery winning intercept) etc. • Court Order • Establishment • Financial Support • Medical Support • * Process service (Sheriff or private process server) • Financial • Centralized Payment • Processing by the • Family Support Registry (FSR) Review & Modification Administrative and/or Judicial Review of court orders that are 36 months old or older for possible modification of support amount. Outreach Programs DCSS offers several outreach programs designed to address barriers to self sufficiency and the timely payments of ordered support.

4. Paternity Paternity establishes the biological condition of being a father, but does not establish a legal “father/child” relationship. Benefits of Paternity Establishment: • Identity • Connection • Health • Financial • Peace of Mind

5. How Can I Establish Paternity? • Genetic Testing (can be performed through DCSS, along with a genetic testing stipulation) • Court Order • Paternity Acknowledgment (PA) Form

6. Legitimation In Georgia, legitimation allows the biological father to be recognized by law as the legal father when a child is born out of wedlock. Legitimation can occur in any one of three ways: • The biological parents of the child marry each other • Court Order • Administrative Acknowledgment of Legitimation- signing the bottom half of the PA Form, a voluntary declaration may be made that the mother and biological father consent and agree that the relationship between the child and father shall be considered legitimate for all purposes under the law. This is only available during the first year of the child’s life.

7. Access & Visitation Services The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) offers social services for parenting time to parents with active cases through our service providers. These services are offered at no cost to DCSS customers and include the following:• Coordination of visitation or parenting time• Co-Parenting education between the parents • Written parenting plans (non-legal, non-binding) • Group parenting education• Counseling on access issues NOTE: Funding for these services are made available through a federal grants from the Administration for Children and Families. . . . .

8. Why is this important? • Fatherless sons are 300% more likely to become incarcerated in state juvenile facilities • 70% of all juveniles in state facilities come from fatherless homes We are here to help you break this cycle!

9. About the Fatherhood Program Mission Statement: The Fatherhood Program will work to assist non-custodial parents (NCPs) in locating resources leading to career employment paying above minimum wage, increasing the NCP’s self-sufficiency, and to encourage increased emotional, parental and financial involvement in the lives of their children. General Purpose: To provide a process by which the Fatherhood Program staff will develop and deliver services and resources to program participants. The Fatherhood Program is an employment based program that offers services to include short term training, resume writing, coaching and mentoring.

10. Participation Benefits and Assistance Job Search Education and/or Trade Certificates Review/Modification & State Debt Reduction Access, Visitation, & Legitimization Resources Active Participation Enforcement Actions Delay Continuous Coaching and Mentoring Career Fairs

11. Fatherhood Program Expectations • Pay Child Support (Responsibility to Family) • How much are you paying today? • How much can you bring to our next meeting? • Communication • Once a Month (Employed) • Once a Week (Unemployed) • Treat the program as your Job! • DOL Registration (2 days) • Job Search (Immediately) • Report New Employment (2 days) • Utilize Community Resources

12. Completion Successful Completion Working and paying child support for 60 consecutive days No waiting period to reenter Completion of GED or trade skills training Unsuccessful Participation (This will result in resumption of enforcement activities) Failure to pay Child Support Failure to contact FH agent as required 3 month waiting period to re-enter

13. Interagency Agreement Memorandum of Understanding – Partnership • The Georgia Department of Human Services/ Division of Child Support Services + • The Georgia Department of Corrections + • The State Board of Pardons and Paroles = Working together. . .to help YOU!

14. YOU Make The Difference… In Conclusion…. Anything that you can do to improve your life, will have an enriching effect on your child’s life. Whether it’s through employment, skill development or training. Start today to make an amazing difference in your life and theirs!