Families are faced with an ongoing onslaught from social pressures and ill formed laws. Knowing that there is a problem in our society we need to work hard at advocating for change at every level and every corner of our society and government. In this effort I have compiled a list of links and my own summary that show the thinking and reasons behind organized opposition to Equal Parenting legislation. Please remember that the first problem we face in the battle to give our children equal parenting is apathy, an unwillingness to actually advocate for change and speak to others.
1. http://jeannehannah.typepad.com/blog_jeanne_hannah_traver/2006/10/proposed_joint_.html
2. http://www.now.org/nnt/03-97/father.html
3. http://www.owjn.org/custody/nawl.htm
4. http://abusesurvivors.meetup.com/boards/thread/5575530
5. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-5-7-2008-1.pdf
6. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-7.pdf
7. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-8.pdf
8. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-9.pdf
9. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-10.pdf
After reading, being present for and discussing opposition testimony I have formed a summarization of the opposition to a legal presumption to equal physical child custody when child custody is in dispute.
Of course we need to be able to understand and know the responses to every point raised by the opposition and even better know the truth behind their opposition. Please review the links above and prepare your own summarization, create your own response and use it in your advocacy work.
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Here is a link to the Kalamazoo County Commission which is my commission as an example, you'll need to identify your own commission
http://www.kalcounty.com/board/committeesdescription.htm I am providing the link hoping that some people will decide to get involved at the local level and begin to influence our government and add to your political resume. Here are some examples of boards that we could serve on to try and get something done towards parental rights, civil rights and smaller more efficient government. Also we need to consider becoming active in both political parties, become precinct delegates for the party that we most identify with and truly change what is going on. I am not asking that you vote for against any particular party but I am asking that you begin to become an active advocate for liberty and maybe that might require that you start within one of the major parties. Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board The Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board (CATAB) meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12:00 p.m. in Room 207A of the County Administration Building. The Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board consists of three sectors mandated by the Federal government: private sector, consumer sector and public official sector. The Board of Commissioners appoints five public sector representatives and five private official sector representatives and approves five consumer sector representatives. The Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board shall advise the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners (the governing board) and advise the Health and Community Services Department on the implementation and coordination of a comprehensive Community Action program. The Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board will assist the Governing Board by and through the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department by serving as the advocate for the reduction of the causes, conditions and effects of poverty and shall assist in the provision of social and economic opportunities that foster self-sufficiency for low income persons. Click here to download an application. Community Corrections Advisory Board The Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB) normally meets on the third Friday at 7:00 a.m., with additional meetings possible, at the Office of Community Corrections. The Board reviews topics related to new or changing issues in corrections. The primary mission of the CCAB is to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs that provide alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders in order to reduce jail and prison overcrowding. These appointments are representative of prosecution, courts, law enforcement, media, human services, defense attorneys, and the business community. Appointments are made for two-year terms of office. Contact: Grace Kalafut 387-7136 Human Services Department Board Kalamazoo County Human Services Department Board meets the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Department of Social Services Offices. The Board deals with human services matters within the County. Appointments are made for three-year terms of office. Contact: Kalamazoo County Human Services Department Director Sherry Thomas-Cloud 337-5000 Click here to download an application. Veterans Affairs Committee For general information, or to obtain an application, please contact Tina Becker at 383-8849 in the County Administration Office. Click here to download an application. |
Now that the Democrats are running DC and most of Lansing we need
to begin to communicate the need for DHS/CAPTA/VAWA/Title IV legislative
change. Looking at what has been proposed during the election we must
strike quickly to get our reform message in their ears. Obama's message of the
need for fathers and families needs to be directed towards legislative
changes that actually encourage the states to keep families intact and both
parents significantly involved with their children.
Here is Obama's site let him know what you think:
http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision/
There is funding available and a drive by President Elect Obama to influence fatherhood so let's get busy.
http://www.opencong
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The most important factor in a child's upbringing is whether the
child is brought up in a loving, healthy, supportive environment.
(2) Children who grow up with two parents are, on average, more likely
than their peers in single-parent homes to finish high school and be
economically self-sufficient.
(3) Father-child interaction, like mother-child interaction, has been
shown to promote the positive physical, social, emotional, and mental
development of children.
SEC. 107. STATE ASSESSMENTS OF BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL
SUPPORT OF CHILDREN.
(a) State Assessments and Reports- As a condition of the continued
approval of a State plan under part D of title IV of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.), each State with an approved such plan,
acting through the appropriate State agencies, shall assess the State
policies with respect to the issues described in subsection (b) and
submit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the
results of such assessment not later than March 15, 2008.
(b) (5) Identification of any other barriers to healthy family formation
or sustainable economic opportunity for custodial and noncustodial
parents that are created or exacerbated by Federal or State laws,
policies, or procedures, including an examination of the rules of
Federal and State means-tested programs, the operation of the State
workforce system, the availability of financial education services, and
the availability of domestic violence services and child support
procedures to help victims of domestic violence stay safe and obtain the
child support they are owed.
(c) Grants to States for Commissions on State Law Improvements in the
Best Interest of Children and Families- The Secretary of Health and
Human Services shall award grants to States to establish or support
commissions to review the State assessment conducted in accordance with
subsection (a) and to make recommendations on ways to improve State law
in the best interest of children and families.
Make sure that the Obama administration puts the money where their mouths are.
"The federal government spends $99.8 billion dollars every year on
programs - such as child support enforcement and anti-poverty efforts -
that support father-absent homes"
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