Children Deserve Support Foundation (CDS) was established to assist Cuyahoga County custodial parents who do not receive the financial support for their children as ordered by the court.
Ohio ranked 47th in the nation with regard to child support collection. Cuyahoga County ranked last in the state. Our State Representative agreed that we are the worst of the worst and isn't surprised that 20,000 people have left the county in the past few years.
(3rd quarter 2014 Federal report)
Ohio children are owed $4.5 Billion in back child support. Cuyahoga County children are owed over $1.4 Billion with only 8.8% of cases being families of "limited means". The 91.2% of cases are parents who have the "capacity to pay" and are willfully not supporting their child. "Hiding" income to avoid paying the proper amount of support is common. Could these non-supporters hate their ex more than they love their child? Do they realize that their child is the one who suffers?
Many custodial parents are forced to take additional employment just to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. This leaves children to be shuffled to caregivers or left on their own. Children need the physical presence and emotional support of a parent to be well adjusted and flourish. Society needs to be concerned for the future of these children.
CDS is an advocate for custodial parents. CDS's secure web site provides a place for parents to share their case information and issues. CSEA has agreed to expeditiously review cases that CDS forwards.
One way that CDS will assist is to have Free Legal Clinics for custodial parents who do not receive their court ordered support. Attorneys will assist parents to file default motions Pro Se with the court to eliminate legal fees. This is crucial. A moratorium for CSEA filing any juvenile default motions against non-supporting parents has been in place since December 2013. Non-supporting parents know it's unlikely that they will be brought to justice. Kids have to wait while the government gets their act together, so CDS is stepping up to help. The county is not their last hope.
Another opportunity for CDS to help is to host Continuing Legal Education Seminars for attorneys, magistrates and judges to keep them current regarding the true state of Child Support in our county. The intention is to reform the system to become more efficient, eliminate loop holes and work in the best interest of children.
CDS has rattled some cages! We have been acknowledged by the Secretary of State, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cuyahoga County Family Services and the Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). CDS met with State Representative Nan Baker who was very interested in our initiative. She was able to expedite a meeting for CDS with the Director of Job and Family Services, Executive Director of CSEA and the Policy Analyst for Cuyahoga County.
CDS is excited to present our ideas:
- License plates for criminal default (like DUI)
- Work program to bring arrearage current
- Expedited judicial hearings with definitive actionA program modeled after the Rocky River Municipal Court -Traffic Div
We have partnered with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Dress for Success and Child Support Recovery Service, a private collection agency. We are working toward a relationship with Providence House.
CDS has been working tirelessly over the past year to reform the current Child Support situation in Cuyahoga County and assist the custodial parents who are affected. We all know someone in this situation. Please help us to ensure fair child support policies to benefit the children rather than providing a battle ground for parents.
We have personally funded our initiative and now we need your help. You will receive an email acknowledging your tax deductable donation as allowed by law. Donations will be used for an aggressive marketing campaign to reach custodial parents, general public awareness, web site maintenance, Free Legal Clinics, Continuing Legal Education Seminars and operating expenses. Additional funds will directly benefit children in need who are not being supported as ordered by the court.
If everyone gives something today, our vision and mission can be accomplished. Do something amazing and help CDS help these kids!!
Children Deserve Support Foundation is grateful for the generosity of its donors and strives to be exceptional stewards of these gifts.
MISSION STATEMENT: Children Deserve Support Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on ensuring children receive child support as ordered by the courts by creating awareness to authorities of the adverse effects on families due to inconsistencies in the child support system, and by providing sources of assistance to families not receiving support as ordered. As a 501(c)3 organization founded by people affected by the child support system, we remain dedicated to helping children within the system receive the support they deserve by serving as a liaison between officials and families.