Kent County Friend of the Court

K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, visiting our studio is Wyoming Public Schools new Superintendent Craig Hoekstra, talking about his history and the future of his district, including what the district plans following the recent passage of a bond measure. Also on the show is the Kent County Friend of the Court, which works with the Circuit Court in the area of domestic relations but which has duties that are moving beyond simply investigation and enforcement.

Superintendent Hoekstra began his current duties in July of this year, but his history with Wyoming Public Schools runs deep, almost 30 years in fact. First as a student, then as a custodian, teacher, principal and, from 2015, as Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services. But we talk more about his and the district’s future than his past.

The Kent County Friend of the Court is the collection, enforcement and investigative arm of the Circuit Court in the area of domestic relations. We talk Daniel Fojtik, Friend of the Court Director, and Kent County Commissioner Harold Voorhees, on the FOC and its duties, as well as a recent report on the status of a series of Community Engagement Task Force Recommendations.

“WKTV Journal In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Information on how to sign up for MiChildSupport is one of the services of the Kent County Friend of the Court (Kent County Website)

By Kent County

The Kent County Friend of the Court recently announced the opening of the Responsible Parent Program Center, located on the second floor at 82 Ionia Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. This new center makes it easier for participants in the program to meet with their case manager, see updated job postings, and apply for jobs on-line.

Launched in 2016, the Responsible Parent Program has established partnerships with over 30 agencies and employers to assist those who are having difficulties paying their court-ordered child support. Once in the program, a Friend of the Court case manager will meet with the participant to identify any barriers the person may be facing, make appropriate referrals for job placements and searches, determine whether a case qualifies for a support review to ensure the current order is based on ability to pay, and provide information about parenting time issues and services.

The goal of the Responsible Parent Program is to place 75 percent of those who complete the program into jobs. The Responsible Parent Program started in 2016 with 10 partner agencies and employers and has grown to 34 current partners. In its first two years, 53 percent of those accepted into the program reported employment following their initial appointment with the case manager; 41percent met their court-ordered obligation and 67.5 percent made some payment.

“These are cases where little to no payment was being made. Our primary goal is to make sure the children of Kent County are receiving court-ordered support,” said Friend of the Court Director Dan Fojtik. “We are here to help anyone who is sincerely interested in improving their financial position and getting their Friend of the Court case back on track.”

To qualify for the program, a participant must have a Friend of the Court case, no gainful employment, be able to work, have no pending child support related felony warrant, and be interested in participating. Enforcement actions such as show-cause hearings, bench warrants, and license suspensions will be deferred while the participant is in the program. The Responsible Parent Program Center has three designated computer terminals where payers can search for jobs, and the Center holds drop-in times when no appointment is needed on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons.

Anyone who is interested in this special 90-day program may contact the Friend of the Court for more information at 616-632-6888. Case managers are also available to meet in person without an appointment at Michigan Works, Urban Family Ministries, Strong Fathers, Hispanic Center, and Guiding Light Mission; call 616-632-6825 for days and times.