CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Cecil H. Underwood announced today that West Virginia has bee awarded $57,170 by the federal Administration for Children and Families to promote access and visitation of children by their non-custodial parents.
"Involvement of both parents is essential to the well-being of children," said Gov. Underwood. " We are pleased that the federal government is willing to fund programs that are designed to encourage non-custodial parents’ positive in the lives of their children in cases where it is appropriate."
The grant may be used to create or enhance state-run program, or to fund grants or contracts with courts, local public agencies or nonprofit private agencies.
In West Virginia, no formal mechanism is presently in place to identify barriers to access nor to establish and administer programs, which address these barriers. West Virginia’s Access and Visitation Project Proposal, as funded by the federal government, is to plan for the establishment and administration of programs to support and facilitate the access of non-custodial parents to their children. The planning committee will be composed of parents, child support staff, school personnel, providers, legislators and family law master.
"Through this grant program, West Virginia will encourage the safe and supportive contract of parents with their children," said Gov. Underwood. "We also expect an increased collection of child support payments because non-custodial parents are assured to their children when it is appropriate."
The funds for this grant program are available because of the new welfare reform law signed by President Clinton last year. States have flexibility in how they design and operate the access and visitation projects. Activities include, but are not limited to, mediation, counseling, education, development of parenting plans, visitation enforcement and development of guidelines for visitation and alternative custody arrangements.
The child support enforcement program is a top priority of both the Clinton and the Underwood administration. The state and the federal welfare reform laws included the toughest child support enforcement measures ever enacted to streamline paternity establishment, centralize statewide collections and disbursements, require new hire reporting and suspend or revoke licenses.
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