PARENT'S RIGHTS NOW!

This is a complex problem which requires immediate and proactive action. This is why Dr. Hayes needs to either be terminated or given enough assistance and authority to address the problem. Again, at the risk of sounding arrogant, we have been both calling attention to the problem with child support collections in South Carolina and trying to offer solutions for years, but nobody would listen. For an example of what we have been saying, note "SOUTH CAROLINA DSS CHIEF RESIGNS FROM CABINET," For an example of what other people have written, click "South Carolina Child (Non) Support."

As far as a specific solution is concerned, getting the computerized child support system into place would solve most of the problems of collection and distribution. And while that task should be able to be completed within months, not years, we acknowledge that it cannot be completed yesterday. Therefore, we suggest an immediate and simple partial solution--Public Service Announcements.

Rather than using the 5% that is being assessed (possibly unlawfully) against the payors and the interest that is being generated from the undistributed collections to run the Court System, the State of South Carolina should use (at least part of) these funds to pay for Public Service Announcements such as: "Hello my name is Dr. Kathleen Hayes. I am the Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services. I am here today to tell you that we have collected almost $6 Million in back child support on behalf of South Carolina custodial parents, but that we are unable to distribute it because we are unable to locate the people to whom the money is owed. Therefore, if you are not currently receiving support through Family Court and you believe that you are owed back support, send a letter to the Office of Child Support Enforcement of the South Carolina Department of Social Services at P. O. Box 1469, Columbia, South Carolina, 28202-1469. Note that you may still be eligible to collect these funds even if your children are now adults. However, be sure to include a copy of your Support Order along with your letter."