By Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
Last year the CSD collected $3.1 billion in child support and most of the money came from fathers. You are the unsung heroes in your childrens lives.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Being a father isnt always easy but the rewards of the job make the sacrifices well worth it. There is no greater gift to children than the security that comes from knowing their dad loves them and can be relied on to put their needs first. Fathers who practice this form of sacrificial love will forever hold a special place in their childrens hearts.
This Fathers Day the employees of the Child Support Division (CSD) thank Texas dads for doing the right thing by taking care of their children and giving them the love and support they deserve.
Last year the CSD collected $3.1 billion in child support and most of the money came from fathers. You are the unsung heroes in your childrens lives.
The CSD demonstrates its commitment to fathers by recognizing the important and irreplaceable role they play in their childrens lives. Several notable resources that serve Texas fathers include:
The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP) gives unmarried fathers the opportunity to acknowledge their childrens paternity at the time of birth. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) trains and certifies hospital and birthing center employees to assist parents with the Acknowledgment of Paternity process so that the child will have a legal father right from the start. Last year POP gave more than 124000 Texas children a good start in life by helping their fathers establish legal paternity.
Maps for New Dads: Handbook for Expectant and New Fathers is a publication designed to help expecting dads transition into fatherhood. Maps covers everything from what to expect on a prenatal visit to making homes baby safe" all in a manner designed to reinforce the special role fathers play. Additional resources developed by the OAG include posters recognizing the important role fathers play a Parenting Two-gether Handbook for New Parents and the For Our Children DVD.
Access and Visitation programs promote noncustodial parents access to and visitation with their children when appropriate through a variety of shared parenting projects. Awarding grant funding to local organizations is one way the Attorney Generals Office can help children whose parents are engaged in custody or visitation disputes since federal funding to run the child support program cannot be used to handle these issues. The services provided under this grant include early intervention co-parenting education mediation and enforcement. The OAG also funds a toll-free assistance hotline (866) 292-4636 and provides a Web-based directory of services available in Texas communities.
The Parenting and Paternity Awareness (p.a.p.a.) program is an innovative educational curriculum designed for secondary school students and young adults. The p.a.p.a. program focuses on the rights responsibilities and realities of parenting." Key themes in the curriculum focus on the importance of father involvement the value of paternity establishment the legal realties of child support the financial and emotional challenges of single parenting the benefits of both parents being involved in a childs life healthy relationship skills and relationship violence prevention.
Points to Remember
The OAG Fatherhood Program
The Office of the Attorney General provides help to fathers seeking to become more financially and emotionally involved in their childrens lives.
The OAG Child Support Division helps fathers with:
- child support services
- employer and job training referrals
- establishing paternity for their child
- education about their rights and responsibilities
- information on how to build healthy relationships with their children and the mothers of their children
- Call (800) 252-8014 or visit the Attorney Generals website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov to find out more.
