Review of Cssa Implementation

In fiscal year 2015-2016, CSSA had 24,460 established child support cases in its system and was able to provide resources and services to 25,210 children in Tulare County. Of the child support owed, 74.3% was collected and distributed.

Resources provided include access to a Family Law Facilitator who provides information and assists parents to obtain and complete court forms at no charge. An Ombudsperson is also available to help resolve complaints, explain the complaint process, rights and responsibilities, the hearing process and arrange for interpreters or special accommodations.

Paternity must be established before the court will order child support. The Paternity Opportunity Program offers an easy and free method of establishing paternity by having both parents sign the form in the hospital after the child’s birth. The hospital will file the form with the Department of Child Services. Paternity may also be established by genetic testing if either parent requests verification of paternity. The genetic testing will exclude any person who is not the biological father. It provides confirmation of paternity with a 99% accuracy rate. If there is a dispute about paternity and either party refuses testing, the court may order the parties submit to be tested or be in contempt of court. If the alleged father refuses or is unavailable/missing the court can actually establish paternity through reviewing evidence.

A parent ordered to pay child support is responsible for meeting that obligation. Income, other financial responsibilities, amount of time each parent has custody (if shared) are taken into consideration. If a non-custodial parent finds it impossible to meet the full obligation, they should notify the local child support agency as soon as possible to avoid or minimize adverse actions. The child support payments will still be due, but it may be possible to work out a payment plan. There are many reasons either parent may request child support payments be modified.

Locating a non-custodial parent who is determined to be in arrears of child support payments, requires the Local Child Support Agency to access all appropriate sources within seventy-five days. The State office is the branch that works with other states, in a sophisticated computerized effort, to 1 0 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2016-2017 locate non-custodial parents who are missing and in arrears.

CSSA works with noncustodial parents who are behind in payments. The goal is to work out a plan for repayment that will benefit the child and clear the non-custodial parent’s record.