Thursday, June 09, 2005
STATE ASSISTANCE WITH VISITATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA
If a person obligated to pay child support in South Carolina is behind in that obligation, then The Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) will assist the (usually) custodial parent in collecting the arrearage. That assistance may include bringing the full power of the State to bear on the obligor parent in the form of prosecuting a charge of Contempt.
On the other hand, the CSED does not have the authority to address custody and visitation issues on behalf of either parent. The CSED can only assist in the establishment of paternity and the establishment and enforcement of child support orders.
Study after study has demonstrated that children who receive the financial and emotional support of both parents are happier, perform better in school, and are more emotionally stable. That being the case, it would seem that the State would have an interest in assisting "non-custodial parents" in securing their visitation rights as well as their access to participate in their children's upbringing.
While dramatic reforms in this area do not appear to be on the horizon, some help in on the way. The CSED has recently initiated a pilot project called "Visitation Involvement Parenting (VIP)" in which the CSED provides mediation services for the parents to establish a plan for access and visitation so that children can have the benefit of both parents actively participating in their lives. The VIP Program also provides employment and training services for the non-custodial parent so that he/she can adequately provide financial support for the child. And the VIP Program will provide instruction to both parents on how to request help from the Family Court to enforce Visitation Orders.
At present, the VIP Program is available only in Colleton, Fairfield, Kershaw and Richland Counties. In order to be eligible for the VIP Program both parents must live in one of these counties or the non-custodial parent must live in one of these counties and the custodial parent must agree to travel to the county where the non-custodial parent lives for any classes or mediation sessions.
Those interested in the VIP Program in Colleton County should contact Mahalia Campbell, VIP Program, Colleton County, 215 S. Lemacks St., Walterboro, SC 29488, Telephone: (843) 549-1894.Those interested in the VIP Program in Fairfield, Kershaw or Richland Counties, should contact: Linda Cook, VIP Program Columbia Region II Child Support Office, PO Box 12703150 Harden Street Ext., Suite 103 Columbia, SC 29202-1270.
If a person obligated to pay child support in South Carolina is behind in that obligation, then The Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) will assist the (usually) custodial parent in collecting the arrearage. That assistance may include bringing the full power of the State to bear on the obligor parent in the form of prosecuting a charge of Contempt.
On the other hand, the CSED does not have the authority to address custody and visitation issues on behalf of either parent. The CSED can only assist in the establishment of paternity and the establishment and enforcement of child support orders.
Study after study has demonstrated that children who receive the financial and emotional support of both parents are happier, perform better in school, and are more emotionally stable. That being the case, it would seem that the State would have an interest in assisting "non-custodial parents" in securing their visitation rights as well as their access to participate in their children's upbringing.
While dramatic reforms in this area do not appear to be on the horizon, some help in on the way. The CSED has recently initiated a pilot project called "Visitation Involvement Parenting (VIP)" in which the CSED provides mediation services for the parents to establish a plan for access and visitation so that children can have the benefit of both parents actively participating in their lives. The VIP Program also provides employment and training services for the non-custodial parent so that he/she can adequately provide financial support for the child. And the VIP Program will provide instruction to both parents on how to request help from the Family Court to enforce Visitation Orders.
At present, the VIP Program is available only in Colleton, Fairfield, Kershaw and Richland Counties. In order to be eligible for the VIP Program both parents must live in one of these counties or the non-custodial parent must live in one of these counties and the custodial parent must agree to travel to the county where the non-custodial parent lives for any classes or mediation sessions.
Those interested in the VIP Program in Colleton County should contact Mahalia Campbell, VIP Program, Colleton County, 215 S. Lemacks St., Walterboro, SC 29488, Telephone: (843) 549-1894.Those interested in the VIP Program in Fairfield, Kershaw or Richland Counties, should contact: Linda Cook, VIP Program Columbia Region II Child Support Office, PO Box 12703150 Harden Street Ext., Suite 103 Columbia, SC 29202-1270.
Labels: Non-custodial Parents
