Helping Non-Custodial Parents Go To Work And Pay Back Government is Huge Success

One-of-a-kind successful federally funded welfare-to-work program in Syracuse, NY, targets non-custodial parents who reconnect with their kids, remove barriers to employment, and start paying child support to the tune of $1 million.

Syracuse, NY (PRWEB) January 10, 2004 --Parent Success Initiative (PSI) is a rarity: a government-funded welfare-to-work program that is succeeding beyond all optimistic projections.

PSI is unique not only for the unprecedented one million child support dollars the program has returned to the government, but for its target population: non-custodial parents, traditionally an exceptionally difficult group to find, connect with and serve. PSI is a singular achievement because it has penetrated this elusive group in Syracuse, New York, with startling depth, quantity and quality, helping turn around and enrich countless lives.

With a goal of assisting non-custodial parents of children receiving-or eligible for-public assistance to get jobs or advance in them, PSI may be the only program of its kind in the country to not only succeed, but thrive. And unlike most government programs, where money is given and nothing is returned, PSI has returned a considerable sum back to the government in the process.

And yet, unless some entity steps forward in the next several months, PSIs funding will dry up in 2004, when its mandate ends. In spite of its innovative structure - PSI uses a network of neighborhood- and faith-based organizations to provide services and support - documented track record and crystal-clear accountability, this unique program will have to fold just as its beginning to soar.

Non-custodial parents are a particularly under-served group because theyre hard to reach," says Michelle Mapstone, program coordinator. Thats because they want to help support their children, but there are so many barriers-financial, legal, logistic-they simply cant contribute and often drop off the radar, leaving them with no sense of community or family. They feel detached and powerless."
         
In fact, some simply have no means of getting to a job, or are in jail and cannot make court appointments, which leads to daunting legal entanglements. So PSI employment specialists step in, give non-custodials help with transportation, uniforms, tools, training, education, and the essential ongoing support they need. They even receive legal assistance, which often proves critical in helping them get back on their feet.

This is a program where the funding actually gets to the people who need it," says PSI Project Director Mike Irwin, an administrator of the Onondaga-Cortland- Madison Board of Cooperative Education Services (OCM-BOCES), which oversees PSI. These are not dead-beat parents; theyre dead broke, and they want to contribute."

PSI helps participants feel empowered, contribute financially to their children, and in many cases obtain the formal visitations that they formerly avoided. Additionally, the program serves the larger community with workshops on a variety of legal issues, as well as compiling a treasure trove of data that could be shared with federal agencies looking to model the program. Theres no other program quite like it in the country.

Its not just the monetary return, but a quality-of-life issue," says Mapstone. The programs effect on children is immeasurable. Children of single parents have issues that have to be addressed eventually. If we can get both parents on board and supporting their children financially and emotionally, were building a better future for them and for society."

The Parent Success Initiative (www.parentsuccessinitiative.com), funded by the US Department of Labor Welfare-to-Work program, is a collaborative effort of Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES and Greater Syracuse Works. PSI can be reached at (315) 472-8800 or mmapston@ocmboces.org.

PSI by the numbers:

• participants served: 1,381 (federally mandated goal: 1,000)
• currently active: 350
• paying support: 687
• child support collected: $1 million
• participants receiving legal services: 300+
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PSI SUCCESS STORIES
The remarkable story that is the Parent Success Initiative (PSI) is actually a series of remarkable stories: the stories of lives turned around, families restored, and children supported financially and emotionally by both parents.

Here are just a few of the successes the program has helped facilitate:

Upon being released from incarceration, Donnell wanted to find a trade. It was hard for me to get back into my job field because I was gone for so long," he says. He heard about PSI through a friend, and contacted the program. They helped him enroll in an environmental compliance program, guided him on funding issues, and helped him get his life back on track. This is definitely a second chance for me," he says. The program gave me motivation, helped me stay focused-showed me there are doors back into society."

Kevins been a painter for 15 years. During that time, I often worked off the books," he admits. PSI convinced him that, in the long run, it would be better to be on the books." His child-support delinquency was a hurdle. They told me theyd help me become non-delinquent . . . now things are working out pretty good."

This guy from PSI was trying to find my brother," says Cherise, and when I asked him what PSI was all about, he told me they help single parents of children that arent living with them-help them find employment, a better life. I said 'Wow. Can you help me? " Her counselor, Norman, made an appointment for her and Ive been there ever since." Norman encouraged me, gave me that extra push that I need to be real confident in myself." As a result, Cherise found a job and now works with handicapped children.

Her enthusiasm drips from every syllable. PSI has helped me with my children," she says. I have a better relationship with them." Through its Legal Assistance Project, PSI also helped Cherise overcome a daunting child-support debt. The judge was overwhelmed with the change in my life," she beams. Im not stopping here . . .
         
I want a home some day with a basketball court for my sons and their friends . . . These are my goals and Im not leaving PSI until my time is up, and then Ill be back to keep encouraging anybody I see. I dont have the words to express my gratitude."
               
Douglas got involved with PSI through a shelter. I had a job and a lot of child support was getting taken out of my paycheck," he says. I didnt know what to do to get it lowered or modified." PSI helped see him through his legal issues, and assisted him with job support, too. Now I know what I have to do to deal with the court system, my relationship with my ex-wife, and my kids-the things I need to do to be a better father."

My dreams came alive!" says Calvin. Thats how he describes the change in his life since he began working with PSI. After struggling for many years, he now works at the Veterans Administration hospital and is taking classes to become a Counselor in Training. He plans to eventually become a certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor.

Hoping to make a new start, Dwayne returned to the area last year, but his potential was limited because he was on probation. Although he dropped out of PSI after a short time, he asked if he could come back this year. Since then, hes been doing volunteer work and now has a full-time job. PSI helped him put together a resume, work on his skills and get clothes for work. Hes happy that his counselor told him not to settle for just anything, but look for a good job. Dwayne hopes that other people in the program enjoy the same level of success and satisfaction that he has experienced.

PSI will run out of federal funding in a year, leaving its clients without the support that PSI has provided them, unless new sources of funding are found. Their clients stories above confirm the hope, support and achievement offered by PSI that is not found elsewhere.