Eight Years of EmPOWERing Parents through a Problem-Solving Court

By Stephanie Witucki, Chief Domestic Relations Referee, Third Judicial Circuit Court

Securing payment of child support by noncustodial parents is an important step toward engaging both parents to work together in parenting their child(ren).

Two POWER Court participants proudly display their certificates of completion as their accomplishments are recognized by 3rd Circuit Court Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo, Jr. (far left), Referee Stephanie Witucki (second from right), and Wayne County Friend of the Court Director Kent Weichmann (far right).

Alternative Contempt Track Probation Program Addresses ‘Frequent Flyers’

By Barb Self, Specialized Enforcement Officer, Allegan County Friend of the Court

The Allegan Friend of the Court’s Alternative Contempt Track (Allegan FOC ACT) program is designed to address the barriers some parents face which prevent them from being actively involved in their child(ren)’s lives and from financially supporting their child(ren).

Engaging Community Partners and Making an ‘Impact’

By Tony McDowell, Deputy Director, Genesee County Friend of the Court

Genesee County Friend of the Court's Tony McDowell (center)
speaks to fathers enrolled in the IMPACT program.

As court employees and child support professionals, we have a very specific skill set that we do well – we know the child support formula. We know the tools we have at our disposal to enforce a child support order, we understand the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA),[1] and we have a general understanding of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).[2] We can mediate, recommend, modify, enforce, and collect. All of these are important skills we can use to collect support, assist families, and improve the lives of our clients. However, sometimes we run into an area that, whether due to funding limitations or staffing limitations, is not in our skill set.

Keeping Michigan Families ‘Safe and Together’

By Tiffany Martinez, LMSW, Project Director, Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board

In 2015, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) entered into a formal contractual relationship with the Safe & Together Institute™ for the purposes of adding a domestic violence enhancement to the current child welfare practice model known as MiTEAM. In addition, the MDHHS is supporting certified Safe & Together trainers to provide training and support related to the MiTEAM Domestic Violence Enhancement to all public and private children’s protective services and foster care staff within the state.

Kent County Friend of the Court Creates Programs to Address Community Concerns

By Dan Fojtik, Director, Kent County Friend of the Court

During the past year, the Kent County Friend of the Court (FOC) experienced important changes starting with the assignment of two sheriff’s deputies to handle child support warrants.  That prompted objections from some community members, voicing concern about deputies making door-to-door arrests in the inner city.

Kent County FOC Responsible Parent Program caseworker Deb Martis
helps a payer navigate job searching at a designated work station.

Legal Corner - July 2018

"The Legal Corner" provides a summary of recent Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals decisions relevant to the child support program, as well as recently released state memoranda.