JEFFERSON COUNTYCHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

Problem Solving CourtPresented by:

Yolanda Redmond

Kenneth Boettcher

Problem Solving Court was designed to increase the collection of child support from non-paying parents. We are looking for positive solutions to address non-compliance. The goal is to help parents find solutions to the barriers that are keeping them from meeting their child support obligations.

Faces of theProblem Solving Court

Barriers are not

always visible

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5okFf-87AQ

Barriers

oUnemployed/underemployed/feloniesoLack of educationoSubstance abuseoDisability or mental health issuesoUnrealistic ordersoLimited or no access to childrenoRelationship with custodial parentoMothers

Resources

Fatherhood and Parenting Programs

Jefferson County Mediation Services

Jeffco Action Center Bootstraps-Financial

Literacy Whitian House (Substance

abuse-counseling) Justice Services Interventions

Phoenix Multi-Sport Vocational

Rehabilitation SOAR Warren Village Mile High United Way Asset Building Free Tax Preparation

Assistance *Debt forgiveness

Graduated Sanctions Community Service Electronic Home Monitoring Work Release Jail

Jail • Estimated costs per inmate is $70 per day

• Before Problem Solving Court, an average of 55 parents year were sentenced to serve a 180 day jail sentence

• In 2012, only eight parents were sentenced, translating to significant taxpayer dollars saved

• More than 50% purged the contempt with lump sum payment and were released

What we like about it……

Flexibility-Evolving

Informal process - Confession

Stip of Compliance

Trials are rare

“Programs don’t change people; relationships change people.”

One on One

Consistency

AccountabilityTrust Building

26%

45%

12%

16%

2%

Dismissed due to compliance

Paying cases

Dismissed-multiple reasons

No payments for 2012

Dismissed-jail

2012 Statistics for Problem Solving Court

For more information:

www.childsupportandthecourts.org Created by the retired Judge Kristen Ruth