Child Support Enforcement?

I think....ummmmm...not.

Some may think I have a recent vendetta against the Kansas Department of SRS. I do. I am firing off these thoughts in an attempt to rid my head of the never ending vile obsession with how corrupt, discriminating, and negligent they truly are. I am praying that someone out there can guide me in this. This agency has become so huge and tangled that there is no chance of bringing all they do to light. The time to straighten out this cluster conglomerate has passed. They will continue to operate in a fashion that hurts rather than helps.

I used to think that those who complained about SRS were those who had screwed up. I worked for an attorney who held the bulk of our county's juvenile contract. When parents would call to complain about SRS, I would make an obscene gesture to my office, roll my eyes, and assure the caller that SRS wasn't "out to get them". Assure them that if SRS needed to talk with them about any sort of complaint or abuse investigation, they had nothing to fear. No, they did not need a lawyer. Boy was I wrong....wrong....wrong!

In March 2006, my husband, James, was a single father of four. He qualified for some day care assistance, some food assistance, and medical for these kids. He worked hard long hours each day. He awoke at 5:00 a.m. got himself and his kids ready for the day. Delivered the little kids to daycare around 6:00 or 6:30, then worked his full day. Come home to fix some supper, bathe the kids, and crash by 8:00, 8:30 at the latest. I point this out for a reason. I'm not boasting of his efforts as a single parent. Thousand, if not millions of single parents do this every day. For years. I worship each of them.

James received a letter from the Kansas Department of SRS, Child Support Enforcement, stating that he was a mandatory participant in Child Support Enforcement. He was thrilled. The letter dictate that he complete the enclosed paperwork and return to them immediately. OR, he risked losing what benefits he was receiving. Why the hell would he NOT do this? His lawyer thought it best that he not go after the little kids "mom" for child support as she was not working. He did not tell James that he could still get a child support order, imputing minimum wage for this woman. No. He just told James he couldn't get child support because this woman wasn't working.

James complied and filled out the Domestic Relations Affidavit, and returned it to their office - pronto. And waited. Then waited. And waited some more. He attempted to call the "case manager" listed on the letter. No luck. He'd leave voice messages. No return call. Each time the little kids mom went to work, he'd call Child Support Enforcement with an update of the place and location of Vanessa's employment. Nada. Nothing. Zip.

In August or September 2006, he finally received a call back from his case manager. At that time he was informed, "Mr. Willett, you just aren't a priority at this time." A few days later, he received, in the mail, another DRA to complete and return. Done. See previous paragraph.

In December 2006, Amanda was place by SRS with her mom. On January 5, 2007 James was laid off. In January 2007, SRS cut his food benefits because there was one less child in the home. With time on his hands, James went to SRS. He was greeted with fear by his case manager. She shoved new paperwork at him and told him to complete this, again. He headed straight home, completed his third DRA and returned the next day to SRS. He was greeted by a NEW case manager. He handed over his Domestic Relations Affidavit blindly.

In June 2007, James received a letter from the Kansas Department SRS Child Support Enforcement, stating that, although he was no longer receiving assistance, he continued to be "enrolled in the Non-TAF Support Enforcement Program". This letter further stated, "This allows you and the children to continue to receive child support and medical support enforcement services. You MUST notify this office ifyou DO NOT want these services." Why in God's name would James call to advise that he does NOT want these services? Consequently, he did not call.

In August 2007, James received a letter from SRS Child Support Enforcement, that his case was being closed. The reason? "There is no longer a current support order and arrearages were less than $500 or are unforceable".

I became enraged. I immediately began to research and found the Kansas Department of SRS Child Support Enforcement Manual only. Eureka! I thought I had struck gold!

I fired off the following letter to no less than seven officials within SRS. Three in Topeka.


Dear Ms. Patterson:

I am writing in response to a notice recently received from you which states that my Child Support Enforcement case will be closed effective September 14, 2007. I was never aware that it was ever opened. I would like clarification as to why I am receiving this notice. Ms. Patterson, I have completed your required paperwork three times. The first notice I received in June 2006. I made several phone calls to your office over the next few months with absolutely no results. In October 2006, I was able to reach someone in your office who told me that my case was not a priority. I will never understand how a single father supporting four children is not a priority. Except, that I am a “single father”. The last communication I had was in January 2007. At that time I was told that I wasn't eligible to receive child support because my ex-wife and I have “joint custody” although I am the residential custodian. I found this statement laughable and gave up entirely on any help from your agency.

Imagine my surprise researching the SRS website and the Child Support Enforcement Manual and Handbook. I discovered that from April 2006 until May 2007, I fell under the Mandatory Participant category. I was receiving medical, food, and daycare assistance. At the present time, I fall under the Non-TAF or Non Mandatory Participant category. In case you are unfamiliar with the Child Support Enforcement Manual and Handbook, I have copied and pasted directly from your website the Description of Services and the Eligibility for Services. Additionally, I have copied the Non Discrimination paragraph and beg you to tell me why I have received no assistance from Child Support Enforcement.

The reason in your notice states:
“There is no longer a current support order and arrearages are less than $500 or are unenforceable.”

There is no current order, I agree. I cannot afford an attorney as I am the sole provider of four children. It was my understanding that your department existed to assist me in obtaining child support because at that time, I was receiving food, medical, and daycare assistance. If your agency had assisted me in June 2006, arrearages would be much much greater than $500.00 and would be enforceable. Under the Mandatory Participant category, the non custodial arrearages to SRS are much greater than $500.00. I called your agency each time my ex-wife obtained employment and advised the location. Each time it was noted yet I have not received any confirmation that SRS Child Support Enforcement was making any effort to enforce child support.
It is interesting that the only branch of SRS which I have heard from are the social workers investigating child abuse allegations made by my ex-wife. You see, she becomes very very angry any time I make any demands upon her to provide for court ordered expenses.

I also find this entire subject grossly discriminating. I have jumped through your hoops with regard to this issue. And have received no help. I am most definitely under the belief that I have not received child support because I am a single father and not a single mother. Each of my ex-wives have received SRS ordered child support immediately. I have been dangling out here for one and a half years.

Additionally, I have reported Vanessa Willett repeatedly for fraud. This complaint has fallen on deaf ears.

I also anticipate that in the near future, Vanessa Willett will apply for, and receive, benefits from SRS. She has already applied fraudulently in May or June 2006. Please be advised that I have residential custody of the above listed children and am receiving nothing from either their mother, Vanessa Willett, or SRS.

I would sincerely appreciate a response from your agency as to why I have received your notice. I am hereby begging for your assistance with child support.

The result? A fourth Domestic Relations Affidavit was sent to our residence by certified mail.

We held onto it. Unsure of what to do. Why complete a fourth? He finally completed this but decided to return it through the SRS office in Hutchinson. Sedgwick County wasn't working for him, perhaps a different venue would.

In March 2008, James received a letter from SRS Child Support Enforcement. Guess what it said! His case was to be closed. The reason? "There is no longer a current support order and arrearages were less than $500 or are unforceable".

ARGHARGHARGH....SCREAM! I/we sent the following to the same seven people:

Dear Ms. Patterson:

Once again, I am in receipt of a notice from you stating that my Child Support Enforcement case will be closed effective 05/04/2008 because “There is no longer a current support order and arrearages are less than $500 or are unenforceable.

Ms Patterson, this is the second letter I have written to you. After my first letter in August 2007, I received a prompt response from Pamela Worden. However, this response was simply to send me a Modified Child Support Questionnaire to complete. I admit, that I did not complete this in a timely manner. However, as you were already in receipt of my information three times since 2006, I did not understand why you needed modified information when my original information has not change. The only change I have made is my address. At any rate, I did turn this information into the Hutchinson SRS office earlier this year.

1310.1 Non-Discrimination
No person will, on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex, age, handicap, national origin or ancestry, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity of the State Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS).

Please explain how the above paragraph does not apply to me; a custodial father of three children. I would sincerely appreciate another response from your agency as to why I have received your notice. I am, again, hereby begging for your assistance with child support. If this assistance is not to be forthcoming, please provide specific details and instruction as to what more I can possibly do to obtain your assistance.

That letter was sent on March 11. On March Cou17, James received a telephone message at the house from an employee of Sedgwick County SRS. This caller requested James call immediately. He did. That result? This employee was needing verification from James that the children lived with him. WHAT? Oh good Lord! They have a copy of his divorce decree. There were a multitude of voice mails left by James. There were letters. Why would they need verification that the kids live with him? Because that dirty whore of a "mom", Vanessa, was receiving SRS benefits!!!! Claiming that the children live with her.

FURY still exists when I recall this. We scrambled to gather proof of enrollment in the school, daycare, Boys and Girls Club. I was prepared to coordinate depositions if that's what it took.

On March 19, James received a letter from Pamela Worden, Supervisor, Wichita CSE/Unit 4. On April 1, all of James' information (including his cost of health insurance) was forwarded to the Sedgwick County Court Trustee's Office.

In June James was notified of a hearing and supplied with documentation of the recommended child support amount. Fury again. This amount was exactly half what I had already figured. I am no idiot when it comes to computing child support. I rely on a program but I can cajole and manipulate that program to benefit even the slimiest of clients.

Upon reviewing the documentation, it became clear the Court Trustee's legal assistant had not a clue. She had miscalcuated the health insurance, to the whore's benefit, and had not listed any daycare paid by us. That amount alone is $480 per month. They were requesting $288.00 in child support.

I kept checking the Kansas Payment Center website, anticipating a payment. It never showed. I then remembered that I could check the court's docket. WHOA! STOP THE BUS. That website reflected four continuances, an order for HER to provide health insurance, and a motion filed by a retained attorney. We learned later that the Court Trustee divulged to her that her child support cost could be reduced if she provided health insurance. James has had those kids insured for a year.

I finally spilled the story to the attorney I work for. He demanded that I enter his appearance in the matter and get this settled. I did. He did. It's nearly done. I mailed the Income Withholding Order to her employer today. We should have a payment within three to five weeks. None of it goes back to SRS.