(BALTIMORE, MD—August 18, 2004) The Baltimore County Circuit Court solicited and was awarded a federal grant to launch a new program to help parents without custody find jobs and pay child support. The grant of $150,815 from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families will enable the court’s family division to begin the Family Employment and Support Program this fall.

The program, which is scheduled to start in October, will identify and provide employment opportunities and job training to non-custodial parents who are delinquent in paying their child support.

“I’m hoping that it does exactly what it’s designed to do, and that is to assist people in getting employment and paying child support,” said Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge John O. Hennegan, a member of the three-person steering committee overseeing the program. “The idea is to be proactive and not punitive.”

With the funding, two court employment coordinators will be hired to work with the parents monitoring their progress, helping them find jobs, and when necessary referring them to resources such as the Baltimore County Office of Employment and Training, specialized training at local community colleges, and the Baltimore County Office of Substance Abuse. Participating parents will be under the supervision of the court for one year and will be required to appear before the court to give regular reports.

Judge Hennegan said he has seen the need for such a program for some time. When he was named the head judge for the family division he made it a priority to develop viable resources for family employment and support.

The aim of the program is to work to increase accountability and employment of non-custodial parents, as they are referred to the program through criminal non-support cases, civil contempt cases, mediation, the bar association, or enroll voluntarily.

For more information on the Family Employment and Support Program, please contact the Court Information Office at 410/260-1488.