This Week’s Update at a Glance/Summary (see details below)

1) IV-D Eligibility Bill Rages on! Get on the bandwagon to reform! Understand how IV-D applies to you!

a. We met with 3 more legislators!

2) Miscellaneous Non-Custodial Parent (“NCP”) INFORMATION

a. News Story in Pioneer Press on mom charged with parental abduction

3) Upcoming Meetings and Events and Needs –

a. NEXT General CPR Meeting Sunday Night 11/16/03 (5pm-8pm) – BRING someone with you!

b. CPR needs your help – time, talents, energy, resources to obtain the necessary reform. WHO is CPR? YOU are CPR! If you are not plugged in, tell us how you want to be plugged in – there is a place for everyone.

4) CPR Members: Individual Case Victories!

a. There is hope if we keep challenging!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Title IV-D (Government Child Support Collections and Enforcement) Challenge

· WHY IV-D IS IMPORTANT: IV-D reform is the best way to make the greatest change for the greatest number of people to ease the pressure of the draconian system that disengages fit fathers and prevents them from participating in the lives of their children. IV-D government services are provided solely and only to the custodial parent, and that is why you feel like your rights are being trampled on – because they are! It’s you against the entire bureaucracy. IV-D services are why you feel like you are being treated like a criminal – because the IV-D system was set up for criminals – it was set up to locate and prosecute fathers who had abandoned their families resulting in the child’s dependence on public assistance. Now ALL NCP’s are erroneously and involuntarily “welcomed” into the child support system (just as another class of people were “welcomed” into the “camps” of the 1930’s). The NCP’s are treated with the same prosecutorial fervor as all criminals, regardless of the circumstance, regardless of the fact there is no compelling state interest, and regardless of how involved you are as a non-custodial parent, and regardless of need for the prosecutorial methods. Because you carry the “label” of non-custodial parent, you are treated like a criminal that must be emotionally, financially, mentally beaten to submission.

· NEW INFORMATION: LEGISLATIVE FEEDBACK. CPR has presented the Eligibility Bill (HF1031/SH 974) to three more legislators since our last weekly update: Rep. Len Biernat (DFL-Mpls), Rep. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon). We found one CPR member in Sen. Don Betzold’s area (no meeting occurred yet). All legislators we have visited with are open to eligibility standards; most are shocked that there are no eligibility standards for this IV-D welfare program. This is a non-partisan bill that will reduce government services with no reduction in services for the poor, needy, or vulnerable, but it will reduce services for private cases in middle-and-upper income brackets, where the applicant can afford to pay for the services privately.

o This is the last year for 100% refund for political contribution of $50/piece for to a state legislator. It is a refund from MN. Contributing to the legislator gives you more ear power – when you meet with them you can remind the legislators you just gave them money. Make check out directly to the legislators.

· NEW INFORMATION: JUDICIAL FEEDBACK: CPR met with a third judge, who did not dismiss our idea, but wants to continue conversation regarding the inappropriate use of IV-D services.

· NEW INFORMATION: RESEARCH: CPR continues to find MORE and MORE research to support eligibility standards. We are confident we can overcome just about any objection that comes our way, but we want to hear the objections, and we welcome challenges, it just propels us to find more research to be able to answer any and all questions.

· NEW INFORMATION: PARTERNING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

o CPR continues to meet with MFFN (Minnesota Fathers and Families Network – we are meeting other organizations interested in assisting in our lobby efforts to reduce IV-D services for those who are not needy, and protecting services for the poor, needy, and vulnerable.

o CPR is beginning a partnership with SPARC in Washington State, and looking to find other like-minded organizations in every state to create a national movement to elicit change at the federal level.

· REMINDER: INDIVIDUAL ACTIVISM MADE EASY. July-August-September and the NEW OCTOBER Legislative Education Notices (“LEN”) are complete. These are one page letters you can sign and send to your legislators. People always want to know “how can I get involved?” Change in family law will not occur until you get involved and convince your legislators that current laws are negatively impacting fathers, which negatively impacts children. To protect our children’s future we need to stop alienating dads today. These letters continue to elicit support from legislators, but we need your help. Legislators are noticing these letters – but they NEED to see these letters from their constituents – YOU (and as many people as you know of who will send the form letters)! CPR continues to get responses from legislators. These letters are forcing conversations at the legislature.

· REMINDER: You can OPT OUT of the IV-D program with a 1301 d exception objection letter – that letter continues to be updated. A CPR research aid has produced a wealth of new information to back up this valid option to protect your rights as a parent. Much additional research has been located, reinforcing the validity of the 1301 d objection, which will finally renew your constitutionally protected voice in the process.

For the Activist - Your ACTION ITEM – What YOU can do:

1) We ask that YOU make two copies of each LEN Letter and send to YOUR two legislators. To find out who your senator and your representative is in your local area, call 651/296-2146, where you can also obtain the address. It is SIMPLE and QUICK, and only will cost you two postage stamps, but it makes a big difference towards family law reform. Soon the letters will be available on the internet, until then, email request for copies to info@cpr-mn.org.

2) If you get a monthly billing statement from the state, you are a IV-D case. If your “ex” is not on public assistance, contact CPR on how to File a 1301 d Exception Objection to get out of the IV-D system and handle your situation privately, and stop the oppressive enforcement measures that further harm your already fractured family.

3) Does anyone live in Fridley or know anyone who lives in the Fridley area who would be a constituent of Senator Don Betzold? We NEED constituents (second wives, grandmothers, etc) to help us get in the door of this legislator who is the CHAIR of the key committee (Senate Judiciary) required to drive change in the Senate. He has appeared to be vehemently opposed any and all legislation that is “pro-father” or “pro non-custodial parent.” He seems to erroneously assume that anything “pro-non-custodial parent” is “anti-children.” He needs to hear proof of stories from constituents that this is not the case. Last session (spring 2003) he refused to hear SF 974 saying “he didn’t have time to hear the bill” – even though it would potentially save $130 million a year.

4) If you live in Hennepin County (or any other county) – set up a meeting with your county commissioner and invite CPR along to explain the core root of the child support problems. IV-D is a budget issue and the county commissioners are responsible to taxpayers to eliminate unnecessary expense.

5) If you have a Ramsey County case and both parents want to OPT-OUT of the IV-D system and you can’t get out, call CPR to arrange a meeting with Linda Derks to seek resolution of your case.

Miscellaneous Non-Custodial Parent INFORMATION

· NEW INFORMATION: Article in the Pioneer Press about the mother (Margo Mlady) charged with parental abduction. If this were a dad no one would be sympathizing and he would not have been released from jail!? The Pioneer Press has already had TWO articles on this mother. Use this as an opportunity to write letters to the editor!

· Reminder: CPR Website. Continue to watch the website progress on a daily basis. We want this to be a “clearing house” of information for everyone. Everyday many people are finding good material and information in many different locations. Please let CPR know if you find something others should know about, and we will enter it on the CPR website. Please make suggestions on how the CPR website can be more useful and informative for you. We are in the early stages of development.

· Reminder: CPR volunteer and board member found this petition going to President Bush to stop the bias against dads. SIGN YOURSELF UP AS A PETITIONER! Please read and sign the online petition "Non-Custodial Parental Rights" at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/usncpr/ .The BEST parent is BOTH parents - support equal shared parenting!

For the Activist - Your ACTION ITEM:

1) Educate yourself, learn to articulate the problem.

2) Write letters to the editors on father’s issues as much as you can – even if you don’t get printed, you are making a difference. Flood the Pioneer Press with letters to the editor on the Margo Mlady story of parental abduction. Discuss the false accusations of abuse, discuss equal application of the law, discuss the bias of the system prosecuting child support arrears regardless of reason, but talking obstruction of parenting time too lightly, and more – you decide!

3) Share the information and learn from others.

4) If you are willing to tell your story to legislators or on cable TV, or other media, contact info@cpr-mn.org, we have a volunteer who will help write stories. We NEED your STORY in writing (2 page summary)

Upcoming Meetings and Events and Needs

NEXT CPR GENERAL MEETING: Third Sunday of the Month. November 16, 2003, from 5pm-8pm at William Mitchell College of Law. The building is on the corner of Victoria and Summit – lots of free parking available on the street. Use the entrance where the flagpole is and you will then be directed to the #230 meeting room. Special thanks to Tim B who brought hot gourmet soups to our last meeting! Remember, what ever little food/candy item you can add to the food table is appreciated by all since we meet during the dinner hour. Meeting Agenda:

5-5:20 registration and find a seat (room can be crowded)
5:20-5:30 opening, welcome, prayer, and announcements
5:30-6 Guest Speaker: to be announced
6-7 Update on Issues or group discussion impacting non-custodial parents
7-7:15 pm break – network with each other
7:15-8 (optional hour) BECOME AN EXPERT IV-d #103 class (the root of the problem)

CPR VOLUNTEER NEEDS:

CPR seeks administrative help 12 hours a week (copies, mailings, filing, errands, return phone calls, some writing, etc). This could be a paid position by a contributor. Position would be located out of Little Canada.
CPR seeks intern (not-paid): marketing, etc (details listed on the stthomas.edu website)
CPR needs rent free office space by someone willing to contribute a spare room that we could office out of and meet.

For the Activist - Your ACTION ITEM: We ask YOU to attend as many different meetings as you find interesting. Information is power. The more you know, the more empowered you will be to make a difference.

1) KNOW the child support legislation – read the Rep. Smith bill (Omnibus Bill HF 778 – originally HF110), and read the Rep. Eastlund bill (SF600/HF 664) – familiarize yourself with the bill to know what you like and don’t like about each. Find house bills on the internet at house.leg.state.mn.us or call House 651/296-2314. Find it on the internet or call 651/296-2344.

2) No “cheat sheet overview” to summarize HF778 and HF 664 is available at this time from CPR – we encourage someone to volunteer to do this. What we really need is a side-by-side language comparison from current language to the Smith bill. Anyone can volunteer to get this - a legislator can request this for the DHS or house research to complete.

3) Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer, CPR needs your assistance – let us know what talents you are willing to share to grow the group, and how much time you have to offer to volunteer, so we can assist more non-custodial parents.

CPR Member Success: Non-Custodial Parent’s Individual Victories

Keep working with CPR, and networking with other members and this could be you!

· Non-custodial dad, B.D. was involuntarily “welcomed” into the IV-D program in Ramsey County in July 2003. After using the 1301 d objection on a monthly basis, his ex agrees to discontinue IV-D services.

· Non-custodial dad, L.S. was involuntarily “welcomed” into the IV-D program in Hennepin County in October 2003. He was automatically put into arrears for 2 months, even though he had been paying the mother directly. He showed proof of payment and the HC case worker cleaned his record of the erroneous and artificially created arrears.

· Non-custodial MOM, N.S. was provided documentation that Anoka County DENIED her ex-husband (custodial parent) request for the county IV-D agency to file a motion to increase child support.

SPECIAL NOTE:

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL ALONG TO ANY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT (or anyone else who is concerned for the non-custodial parent and the impact on the fractured family).

WE are EAGER to add the names of all citizens who are EFFECTED OR INTERESTED IN HELPING TO REFORM FAMILY LAW AND ANY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT NEEDING ASSISTANCE IN THEIR FAMILY LAW CASE.

WE WELCOME YOUR PARTICIPATION AND WE NEED ALL INTERESTED NAMES so AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN we can ORGANIZE AND MOBILIZE (like Martin Luther King Jr did!) to prove to legislators that this issue matters to their constituents, and TO ACHIEVE THE GRASS ROOTS PUSH needed to DRIVE the MUCH NEEDED Family Law REFORM. Please forward names to CPR of other citizens interested in these issues. We want to add them to our list to keep people informed and show legislators there is a LONG list of effected and interested people in Minnesota.

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