My wife and I have been co-guardians of my grandson for over five years. During that period of time, his father has failed to pay child support. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER), the state agency responsible for collecting child support, tells me that they’re understaffed and overworked.

One time when I called, they told me that no one was available to take my call. The DSER might want to look to Massachusetts for a solution. In Massachusetts, the Department of Revenue goes to court to enforce child support orders. An obligor can go to jail for failure to pay child support. And, there is a job search program that obligors are required to attend. This is enforced by probation officers.

I don’t buy the idea that DSER is understaffed and overworked. We can do better.

John Cross
Tenants Harbor