OHIO Child support is topic of forums

Participants suggested a sliding-scale system for payments.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The concerns of local residents about child support could find their way to the state Legislature within the next two years.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is conducting public forums throughout the state for the remainder of the year.
One in Niles drew only a handful of participants airing grievances and sharing personal horror stories related to child support in Ohio.
None of them wanted to be identified.
The major concerns center on finding a sense of equity in the system and on the accountability of custodial parents receiving child support.
Most said they favor a change in how child support is calculated, suggesting a flat rate as opposed to a percentage basis.
The federal government charges each state with determining a formula to calculate the amount of child support owed based on income; each state is free to develop its own formula.
Ohio calculations
In Ohio, the amount is calculated by judges who consider the income of both parents and the standard of living a child would experience if parents were in the same household.
The percentage of the combined income that each parent contributes helps determine the amount for the support order.
But some told ODJFS representatives the percentages hardly seem fair.
"You can't tell me that it's right to say that it costs $10,000 to raise my child and only $5,000 to raise another person's child," said one man.
China Widener, assistant director of ODJFS, said the concern was similar to those heard at other forums in the state.
Many people were in favor of seeing a flat rate set for child support, she said, but that would raise even more issues.
"How does the system deal with those people who don't earn enough to pay that rate?" she asked.
Participants suggested setting a sliding-scale system, where income amounts determine the flat rate.
Want accountability
Some people also suggested ODJFS find a way to make custodial parents more accountable for child support money received; in effect, finding some check system to ensure the money goes toward the child's expenses and not frivolous items.
Comments and input gathered from the session, as well as from others in the coming months, will be compiled and forwarded to ODJFS' Child Support Guidelines Council.
Every four years, the department is required to review child-support guidelines to determine if additions, deletions or clarifications are necessary.
Any changes would go to the Legislature in March 2005 for consideration.
Comments also are being accepted via the Internet, at www.ohio.gov/odjfs/csguidelines/-feedback.stm.
slshaulis@vindy.com