Monday, September 29, 2014

Lets Get Our Name Out There, Make Ourselves Heard (CBC Interview Oct 1/14)

Well it has again been far too long since I have seen this blank page.

We started this blog 2 years ago in hopes to reach out to other single mothers struggling the same way we were. We decided to touch on everyday topics that a typical single mother would go through on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. We have done everything from custody to child support and we truly hoped that some readers would gain some insight from what we had to say and relate to our stories.

We have been trying to figure out how to get a website up and running to allow single parents to access our services and be able to get referrals to other webpages such as government funding, subsidy and legal support. We want to have a place where single parents can go and access everything in one shot. We also want to have support forums up and running for people to post their stories and others to respond in a supportive and understanding way. Our long term goal is to open an office and have services readily available such as counselling, parenting seminars, resume building, subsidy education and legal advice regarding support and custody.

Tonight I did an interview with a major news station here in Canada. CBC news found our blog and read our posts and wanted to do an interview with me on their up coming piece on Child Support in Ontario. Did you know that 82% of Ontario payees are in arrears and within those 82% over 2 BILLION DOLLARS is owing to the receivers of child support. 97% of single parents are mothers which means the statistic that those payees are fathers are extremely high. (SO KUDOS TO THE DADS DOING IT ON THEIR OWN). Our government has a service called the Family Responsibility Office (Referred to as FRO from here on out) there are 450 people that work for FRO here in ontario and over 182,000 case files. That means each worker is assigned to over 404 cases! So FRO is supposed to implement the child support owed and then reenforce consequences for those who do not pay. But with that many case files per person if a recipient is not on top of their file their file ends up going to the bottom of the pile. Which means that years can go by without any reenforcement of payment. Consequences enforced here in Ontario begin with a suspension of drivers licence, then they confiscate a passport, the last step would be a charge and jail time but that is only at the most extreme measures. So, FRO has 404 files per case manager and 82% are not paying their child support and in arrears. FRO contacts the payee in arrears and they arrange a playment plan if the payee is unable to pay in full. The minimum payment is $2 and all a payee has to do is pay $2 towards their arrears and they are not subjected to the consequences that are supposed to be enforced because, well they are paying towards their support! IS THAT NOT INSANE!!!! How can a child live off of $2 a month. So the majority of our single parents and their children are living on or below the poverty line because there is no absolute consequence for the payees when they don't pay. These are our children, our future! Its like saying "Hey, the government says you have to pay your taxes but if you don't then there wouldn't be a consequence" WOULD ANYONE PAY THERE TAXES? NO!!!! This is the exact same, if there isn't a consequence for not paying support why the hell should the father pay? Its sick and twisted and our government needs to stand up and take more action. More funding, more employees and definitely more support!

This interview was a breakthrough for our org/group and because I am so passionate about this I feel that I had a lot to contribute to this topic. If you live in Canada check out the interview on Wednesday at 5-630 central time.

Leave a comment if you are going through something like this or have experienced this in the past. We need people to stand up and speak up about this issue it is more extreme then anyone could ever imagine. Even myself, who has been educated on child support and the bylaws was completely shocked at the numbers and statistics!!

Here is a sneak peak of our interview :)



- Staci

2 comments:

  1. This topic I know all too well. Every day is a continuous struggle. I've had my share of ongoing frustrations being a recipient (well trying to be) of FRO. Since 2012 they have unsuccessfully been trying to collect an arrears of 30k. Since my case has been given to them they have collected $51.24 for my two children (GST Rebate in 2013) Since May 2013 i have received $0 and no enforcement's are being enforced because their "father" is protected by section 7 (social Assistance) while he works for cash and flaunts it on Facebook. I'm beyond frustrated and something HAS TO BE DONE!!! What makes this even more frustrating is FRO is no help. My case worker even hung up on me once for asking if they are going to reopen my case cause i haven't seen any money since it was brought to them. Her response was appalling and downright unacceptable. I reached out to the minister of social services and received no response nor feedback. I turned to social media to get her attention with a tweet asking / begging for HELP including our mayor our mayoral candidates and even the media and received NO RESPONSE from anyone to date. It sickens me that i pay taxes and pay for the services that i desperately need and NOONE can help me but they can help him?? Help him hide from his obligations of financial support? Its been Three years since we've seen him and over 5 years since we had any financial support. I cant even find housing as i have been on the list for over 5 years. I tried to buy a house and cant even get a mortgage for more than 100k as a single mother.. im trying to help myself but the system is making it almost impossible. When i look around seems more like the better i do the more i struggle. Story of my life. Being a single mother is the most hardest thing in the world.To your kids your a hero but when you look in the mirror and open your overflowing bills you sure don't feel that way. I've been looking everywhere for Organizations like this and i will make it my goal to support this in anyway I can. Looking forward to support groups and resources in the near future.

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    Replies
    1. Lisa,

      Thank you so much for sharing your story. Let me be the first to say that I am so sorry you are going through this but please know you aren't alone 82% of the receptients of fro are not getting a single penny and FRO is doing nothing to enforce consequence. It's the governments fault and the lack of funding and the proof is on the statistics. 2 billion dollars in arrears owing in Ontario alone. 3.5 billion in cananda and 2 billion of that is in our own province. Do people really not see the issue here. It is mind boggling. On my cbc interview I talk a lot about the lack of support that is in place for us as single parents and the fact that these are our children and future generation suffering living in poverty. How the hell don't people see that it is all about the God damn children. I swear on everything I have that I will do anything and everything in my power to raise awareness and make a difference in this province. Trust me when I say that this group and soon to be organization will grow and expand and we will be so strong and powerful that we will come together and stand up to the higher powers in Ontario and fight for what we deserve but more importantly what our children deserve. The system is corrupt and I will make a point to let everyone in on their secrets.

      I am so glad you are on bored. You have my details on facebook so let's connect.

      I hope that one day you will get justice but more so I hope your children get what they deserve. Keep being an amazing mother!

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