Recordpub.com - Amnesty offered for child support Portage parents can regain license

By Mike Sever
Record-Courier staff writer
Parents who've had their driver's license revoked because of nonpayment of child support can apply to get their license back this month by signing up for an amnesty program through the Child Support Enforcement Agency of Portage County.
Noncustodial parents who have had their licenses revoked for nonpayment are normally required to pay a minimum of one to three months of back support. They also must provide the agency with a current employer so wage deductions can be arranged.
During August, the agency will reinstate licenses based on noncustodial parents' participation in job training at the Portage County Workforce Connection.
Kevin Gowan, head of the county's Child Support Enforcement Agency, said the amnesty on the past due child support is "a little incentive" to get them to come in and take advantage of the job training program. The amnesty does not absolve delinquent parents from paying their past due support, Gowan said.
By the end of June, Gowan said there were 617 people eligible, meaning their cases originated in Portage.
Gowan said the agency is trying to encourage more people to participate.
"We did direct mail on the program to people who live in Portage County. Some people don't always keep us apprised of their address," he said.
This is the second year the county JFS is offering the program.
"We had about same number eligible, but less than 100 that signed up (for the program) and even less signed up for the first class," Gowan said. "We're hoping for better this year."
Gowan said for noncustodial parents to be considered for the program, they must first contact their child support caseworker and sign a partcipation agreement.
Once they've begun the program their license will be reinstated. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles charges $25 to complete the reinstatement.
Gowan warned that failure to follow through with the program will result in a re-suspension of the license.

6.	Posted by sue1958 August 4, 2008
	Okay folks - first of all, do ANY of you understand the "Challenges" of being a Child Support Case Manager? Do you know that each Case Manager at the Ravenna Office has OVER 800 CASES EACH? Imagine the task of trying to manage, monitor, enforce 800 cases. Each case has 2 contacts, Non-Custodial & Custodial parent. The ability to suspend the driver's license has successfully proven to be a very effective motivator to MOST obligors (the one paying the support). The County is trying to motivate the individuals not working to participate in a program that will help them to get a job, and pay their support. Frankly - in my personal opinion - Portage County is WAY too lenient on it's delinquent paying parents. But - my opinion & a quarter won't even buy a cup of coffee. So - there you go.

5.	Posted by 5ofus August 4, 2008
	The only reason my ex pays child support is so he can get his drivers license back. He's only $9,000 in arrears now! ozzy - your ex is driving your child around in a brand new car. Child support is for supporting the child, that includes house payment, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, not just stuff. Quit complaining and be happy that your child has safe transportation.

3.	Posted by DoWhatsRight August 4, 2008
	This is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Taking away a person's driving license because he does not pay his child support is just plain stupid. His driving has nothing to do with his child support, but it does have a lot to do with his ability to work. If he can not get to work, he can not pay child support. This is just another example of the laziness of the bureaucrats that are suppose to get the child support. Go through the proper channels and make the dead beat pay. Don't put him in a position where he has to break the law to make a living. If he is caught, he has to pay the court and that is less money for Child support. For Cripes sake. Garnishee his wages, but let him have what he needs to earn the wages. This reeks of government power gone wild. If the State of Ohio wants to get involved, them make sure that the Child support goes to support the Child and not the life style of the woman. And No before you ask, I do not owe nor have I ever owed any Child Support. I raised and supported my child and even though I have grand children, I still help my children out when they fall upon hard times.

2.	Posted by aircraft annie August 4, 2008
	It's a shame for our county to have so many people driving without a license either for dui's or non support we really need some help on all counts it's a terrible situation. Our court system has made a lot of working people criminals by taking away the one thing they need to be productive in our society by taking their license away. As far as dui's don't take the only thing away that gets them to work give us all a break and let them keep their license but make it mandatory for yellow plates use another color for child support at least that way they are registerd with a address and you could run the plates at any given time to check up on non payment and they would sure stand out in a bar parking lot.We need to do something quick to solve these problems for everyone.Mabey try an amnesty for dui's give them a chance to recover their lives too.

1.	Posted by ssocks41 August 4, 2008
	Those people are still driving anyway!! Anyone try to get the stimulus check from these people yet?? I'm still waiting on my Ex's Check to arrive...oh I will be getting it...it's just a matter of when...I know I know 3 to 6 months...I'm use to no child support anyway...last year he paid in december....the other months he decided to get laser surgery on his eyes that insurance didn't cover..so he paid 3000.00 for that...coincidence...that's the same amount he owes in arreages...and he called a week ago and since his daughter is now 18 as of the 28th of July he wanted me to sign a paper stating he didn't owe that money..lol....NOT!!!! When Pigs Fly Buddy!!!! That's why he's in Floriduh...that's where people go when they are running from something or to something.