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.