A child support information forum for families and the general public, hosted by the Tennessee Intergenerational Political Network, will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, 1730 East Third St.
According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, as of September, 2014 there were 21,500 active child support cases in Hamilton County. Rep. JoAnne Favors has held two public forums and had contact with hundreds of constituents over the past two years regarding child support issues. Many problems have been resolved when possible; however there is a significant need for knowledge and understanding of the child support system, said officials.
Invitations are being extended to custodial and non-custodial parents, grandparents, other family members, community partners, and civic, social and faith based organizations to attend this forum. Information about Tennessee and federal child support laws, policies and procedures will be presented by a panel of child support experts. These panelists will provide information which will help families to understand the system and to optimize collections of financial support that is crucial for children’s wellbeing, said officials. Also, an increase in knowledge and understanding of the child support system will hopefully help to minimize child support court cases that result in negative outcomes.
Those presenting will include: Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw, Chancery Court Judge Jeffrey Atherton, Deputy Commissioner of Human Services Patricia Stubblefield, Director of Child Support and Operations Charles Bryson, Director of Child Support Human Services (Maximus) Martha Sanders-Tonahill and Reverend Carlos Williams, pastor of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church.
Contact the Education Committee Chair Jennifer Woods at 499-5577 or JoAnne Favors at 624-5088 for more information.