Child Support Enforcement technician Richelle Richardson appreciated the opportunity to learn about REAL Dads--and to have the program's director observe her at work.

A talk at Child Support Enforcement’s all-staff meeting, followed by some job shadowing, could contribute to a real difference in services to non-custodial dads. 

Calvin Williams, executive director of Lighthouse Youth Services REAL Dads, came away from a September afternoon shadowing two Hamilton County Child Support Enforcement techs and Call Center worker with a new appreciation for their tasks.

A few weeks earlier, Williams had spoken at the Child Support Enforcement’s meeting about expectations of non-custodial parents. He shared ideas for and benefits of getting fathers more involved in their children’s lives. He told about the barriers that non-custodial dads face -- and suggested ways that techs could help them work through issues, including terms to stay away from.  

REAL Dads is a six-month program in which non-custodial fathers get assistance in gaining employment, one-on-one support from life coaches, fatherhood groups and classes to strengthen parenting knowledge and relationship skills, and support and strength from fellowship with other fathers. The program fosters a positive relationship with Hamilton County Child Support.
 
“Our technicians got a better understanding of Calvin’s program so they can explain what’s going on and the benefits of staying in the program,” said Deb Cunningham, Child Support Enforcement section chief. “And they helped Calvin get a better understanding of what the technicians are doing when they’re interacting with custodial and non-custodial parents.” 

Child Support Enforcement Technician Richelle Richardson appreciated learning what happens when she refers clients to REAL Dads. She was thankful that Williams took the time to observe her interactions with clients. 

“He got to see how we work the cases,” Richardson said. 

Williams was impressed by the way Richardson navigated the Support Enforcement Tracking System (SETS) to get answers for a parent. He spoke highly about the way Call Center tech Travina Hogue dug up information for a client and helped modify the amount a parent needed to pay. He liked watching Larry Yung,  a new technician, serve a customer with empathy. 

“I left thinking we need to do more of this,” Williams said. He would like all REAL Dads life coaches to shadow Child Support staff – and for Child Support staff to come to REAL Dads for quarterly visits.