From a meeting with Utah State Senator Greg Bell. Child support is often thought of money spent in the child’s best interest. However, the unspoken truth is that child support is unaccounted funds given to the custodial parent and further used in a competition for federal bonus funds.

In the first half of the video, concerned citizen, Tony Curtis, questions whose interest is served by child support. Senator Bells attests that millions of dollars are tied to child support – the interest of the state. In the second half of the video a grown child of divorce testifies as to the need for more accountability.

One of the most discussed issues at the meeting was 50/50 equal parenting legislation. Senator Bell explained to attendees the difficulties with jumping immediately to a 50/50 Parenting presumption from the legislative and practical points of view and was open to looking further into 50/50 equal parenting based on research and studies.

Transcript:
Audience member: The best interests of the child is what I want to talk about. When we discuss this issue of 50/50 custody what often comes up is the economic situation for mothers. That’s not talking about the best interests of the child then. You’ve switched from the best interests of the child now to the best interests of one parent. And what I would like to say about this is we really need to separate those two issues, because if it’s truly in the best interests of the child having involvement from both parents, then why are we messing with that because we’re concerned about economics for one parent?

Senator Bell: Well, you make a great point and if you and I were designing a new world that’s where we would start. But we’re not. We’re stuck with a system and I’m just saying that there’s no way you’re going to lop off hundreds of millions of child support overnight or for even a three year ammortization. You know what I’m saying. It’s a huge economic and social shift and you know whether you and I and all the angels agree or not we’re not going to get the governor and 103 other people you know to move there overnight so ah you’re right. The interests of the child is not necesarily found with the child support cause the child support may or may not go to the best interest of the children.

Another audience member: Senator Bell, I am one of those children. My parents divorced in Montana. And my dad currently lives here in Utah. It was a very unfair situation and I’d like to see something on the legislature that puts parents in responsibility to that child support. I’d like to see a program like Horizontee cards for welfare that maybe we keep track of that child support so that we know it’s going for the children cause it’s not parental support, it’s child support. And my mom took the child support and didn’t use it to support me. My mom never gave me a college fund. She never made sure I had the tools to be a successful adult. I escaped from my mother from a very abusive situation at the age of 17. My dad had to continue paying child support till I was 19. And I didn’t live with my mom and I had no support from her. I would like to see something on the legislature that changes to where we do keep track of child support. My dad is currently $140,000… of what it goes towards, of what it’s spent on. Because the price of raising a child is not dependent on a percentage of a wage, it is a price, but shouldn’t we keep track of where that money goes so it’s not used for mommy when the children are gone, for her and the new husband to go away to Hawaii. That’s not a very useful use of that child support… and there’s parents trading there child support for drugs and all sorts of ridiculous things.

Just how much money is this hundreds of millions in child support?? According to the website of the Utah Office of Recovery Services, over $195.9 million was collected in fiscal year 2006. Of this amount over $23.4 million was distributed to the Utah Department of Health (as apposed to being distributed to recipient parents), and at least $6.3 million made it directly into the state’s general fund (as apposed to being distributed to recipient parents).

Duration : 0:4:18

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the first part of my Adoption story can be watched here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IdPtGZ-3oM

this video, chapter 2, offers a brief glimpse into the realm of my post-placement emotions- every one of them has been raw, real and incredible! It has been one year and one week since placement day and it has been an adventure, with high ups, low downs, and everything in between. I wouldn’t change it for anything! The song is Hardest For Me, by Michael Mclean

Duration : 0:3:28

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The purpose of this video is to allow someone considering adoption to get to know us better. Pregnancy, Minnesota, abortion alternative, Minneapolis, Parenting, Adoption profile, birth mother, adoptive mother, children, baby, birth, parents, pregnancy counseling, pregnancy support, adoption agency, Minnesota adopt, United States adopt.

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New Life Pregnancy Center is an open Adoption center that provides mothers with all of the support they need to make this decision easier. Located in Houston, Texas, this alternative to abortion is staffed with nurturing and knowledgeable individuals who understand and are able to assist you. Birth mothers are truly included in their child’s life at New Life Pregnancy Center, and receive plenty of communication and photos as the child grows.
Visit us http://www.yellowpages.com/info-21868136/New-Life-Pregnancy-Center?from=youtb

Duration : 0:1:18

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Thanks for watching my adoption profile video! I live in Vancouver, British Columbia and can’t wait to build a family through open Adoption. If you’d like to find out more about me and my loving circle of family and friends, please visit my website at www.adoptinginvancouver.com.

You can reach me any time through my adoption specialist, Fiona Trotter, toll-free at 1-888-479-9811 (business hours) 1-866-533-9811 (after hours) or by email at fiona@choicesadoption.ca

Duration : 0:1:54

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Hi, we’re Enza and Pieter from Toronto, Ontario, and this is our adoption profile video. Enza is a nurse and Pieter is a doctor. Kindness, love, patience, respect, compassion — these are the foundations on which weve built our relationship. Our home and our hearts are ready to welcome a child into our lives. We wonder what your hopes are as we think about ours and look forward to beginning a new life chapter together. If you’d like to know more, please contact us at 416-977-7971 (please call collect) or at enza20@hotmail.com. Our Adoption practitioner is Michael Blugerman at mjblug@total.net or 416-923-7771.

Duration : 0:2:40

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If you live in Ontario, B.C. or another province in Canada and are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or infertility issues, open adoption can be a wonderful alternative. Since 2001, Canada Adopts! has helped dozens of birthmothers and adoptive parents grow their families through open adoption. Visit us any time at http://www.CanadaAdopts.com

In open adoption, birth parents have the option of choosing the adoptive parents for their child and having a role in the adoption plan. For adoptive parents, Open Adoption means your child will a connection to his or her birth parents and a strong foundation for a positive self-image. For more information, visit our website or speak to an Adoption specialist and find out whether open adoption is right for you.

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http://www.dexknows.com/business_profiles/act_of_love_adoptions-b1156648 Act of Love Adoptions is a domestic infant Adoption program that assists birthparents from all cultural backgrounds wishing to make an adoption choice. They specialize in comprehensive services for birth parents including: medical care, pre- and post-counseling, career guidance and support. Theyre committed to educating, preparing and supporting prospective adoptive parents before, during and after the adoption process. For details, contact Act of Love Adoptions.

Duration : 0:0:32

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We’re a loving couple from Barrie, Ontario (near Toronto) who are hoping to adopt a second child through open Adoption. Our first adoption was wonderful and we would love our son Rein to have a sibling!

You can reach us at paolaanddustin13@rogers.com or at 705-241-3488 (please call collect).

Duration : 0:3:12

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Lindsay Benjamin, PC is a divorce and family law attorney in Phoenix, Arizona. She represents both men and women in issues of child support, spousal maintenance, step parent Adoptions & prenuptial agreements.

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