Letters to the Editor 05-15-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Child Support
Child Support
Editor, Times-Union:This is an informational letter for those people who are planning on receiving or who are presently receiving services from the Prosecutor's Child Support Enforcement Office. As of May 3rd, our office is down to two qualified caseworkers. We have hired a third caseworker, but she has not yet completed training. It may be some time until our office will be accepting new cases. Your continued patience will be appreciated.
When you do request the services of the child support enforcement office, it is mandatory that you provide all documentation requested. We have had individuals refuse to provide information, and this will only lead to a delay in processing their cases. Federal and state regulations require a great deal of paperwork, and this is not something which your local office controls. Many of you out there know how difficult it is to get support paid when our office does have all the information, so by failing to provide the documentation we need, you make it impossible to help your children.
The state of Indiana will be sending termination notices to around 1,600 persons who may or may not have active cases in our office. Of course, the state is not informing our office as to which individuals it is sending termination notices.
We are severely understaffed. Marshall County, which has thousands fewer open cases than our office, has SEVEN caseworkers. Ultimately, the council and commissioners decide on how many caseworkers we have. Two-thirds of the caseworkers' salaries are reimbursed by the state, so this is not a matter of money, but rather a matter of priorities. All three candidates for prosecuting attorney said that child support is a priority and promise to improve the service you receive. So hold whomever you elect to that promise! And hold your local government to that promise.
Mark E. Caruso
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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- Child Support
Child Support
Editor, Times-Union:This is an informational letter for those people who are planning on receiving or who are presently receiving services from the Prosecutor's Child Support Enforcement Office. As of May 3rd, our office is down to two qualified caseworkers. We have hired a third caseworker, but she has not yet completed training. It may be some time until our office will be accepting new cases. Your continued patience will be appreciated.
When you do request the services of the child support enforcement office, it is mandatory that you provide all documentation requested. We have had individuals refuse to provide information, and this will only lead to a delay in processing their cases. Federal and state regulations require a great deal of paperwork, and this is not something which your local office controls. Many of you out there know how difficult it is to get support paid when our office does have all the information, so by failing to provide the documentation we need, you make it impossible to help your children.
The state of Indiana will be sending termination notices to around 1,600 persons who may or may not have active cases in our office. Of course, the state is not informing our office as to which individuals it is sending termination notices.
We are severely understaffed. Marshall County, which has thousands fewer open cases than our office, has SEVEN caseworkers. Ultimately, the council and commissioners decide on how many caseworkers we have. Two-thirds of the caseworkers' salaries are reimbursed by the state, so this is not a matter of money, but rather a matter of priorities. All three candidates for prosecuting attorney said that child support is a priority and promise to improve the service you receive. So hold whomever you elect to that promise! And hold your local government to that promise.
Mark E. Caruso
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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