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PARENTING TIME NEWSLETTER
Summer 2016 Edition
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Apps That Help ........ 2
News ......................... 2
Events ................... 3-4
Dear Adam ............... 5
Activities ............... 6-7
Spotlight ................... 8
$25 FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?
Complete a Customer
Experience Survey and
you will receive a $25
gift card if you
participate in a brief,
confidential phone
interview with Ohio
University.
Email us at
if you need a survey or
have photos/stories to
share for publication.
Summer is finally here, but weather isn’t the only thing heating up.
Montgomery County recently issued its 80th parenting time
order and is now providing PTOC services to 212 parents &
children. We have also mailed 300 books to families through our
FirstBook collaboration with the United Way.
In addition to increasing
parenting time opportunities for
children, we have collected
71.04% of current support
on PTOC orders in effect for at
least 10 months. That’s more
than Montgomery County’s
overall collection rate (67.96%)
and even more than Ohio’s
statewide average (69.58%).
The benefit of having both
parents involved a child’s life is overwhelmingly clear1, and families
participating in Montgomery County’s PTOC program agree. One
parent said PTOC gives her daughter “another person in her village
to raise her.” Another parent said, PTOC is a “great program” and
that “it was nice to have someone...help us see what the other
person was trying to say. It kept things non-confrontational.” We
hope you agree. We also hope you take time this summer to connect
with your kids. Make some memories that will last a lifetime!
SUMMER GREETINGS
1 http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/programs/css/13_child_support_and_parenting_time_final.pdf
2
Best of Parenting is an app that helps with many
parenting challenges we all face. Have a child
who won’t go to bed on time? Another who
doesn’t want to do their chores?
This app provides solutions to over 100 common
parenting challenges. It also offers weekly
parenting tips and inspiring quotes. The tool
provides a “How to” guide for developing you
and your child’s strengths. Although parenting is
not always easy, this app helps you navigate
difficult moments so you can focus on enjoying
the wonderful person you created!
Child support is just one of many expenses co-parents
have to manage. If you’d like to avoid conflict while
sharing these responsibilities, consider using an app.
Our Family Wizard, SupportPay, 2Houses,
DivorceLog, and DropBox are some popular programs
that help parents share bills and coordinate payments.
These programs allow co-parents to enter expenses such
as medical bills, athletic costs, and school fees. You can
then reconcile the expenses and avoid the emotional
entanglement that often comes with repeated texts,
emails, or phone calls. Raising kids can be stressful and
expensive, but these programs can help you work out
the details in a calm and fair way.
APPS THAT WORK!
BEST OF PARENTING MANAGE YOUR CO-FINANCES
IN THE NEWS
Ohio Legal Updates: Parenting Time Credits and Technical Fixes
If you read More Time For Dads in our spring newsletter, you know S.B. 262 was
introduced in January1 and would, among many guideline reforms, require Ohio courts to
lower support by 10% if a standard parenting time order is issued. In May, the National
Law Journal examined whether a “dollars for days” adjustment would be even more fair2.
This method reduces support proportional to the time a child spends with the non-custodial
parent. But what if that parent doesn’t follow their parenting time schedule? Fortunately,
S.B 262 addresses this possibility! If a parent fails to exercise time without “just cause,” the
obligee can ask the court to change the support & parenting time orders.
On May 11, Amy Roehrenbeck, Senior Policy Analyst for the Ohio CSEA Director’s
Association (OCDA), and Traci Berry, CSEA Director for Tuscarawas County, provided
testimony in support of S.B. 308 3. This bill makes “technical fixes” to Ohio’s outdated child
support rules. S.B. 308 would, among other changes, make all administrative orders effective after 14 days &
reduce the number of days a CSEA must wait before reviewing/modifying an order from 45 to 30. On May 26, the
Ohio Senate passed S.B. 308 by a vote of 33-0. It was introduced in the Ohio House on May 25th. We will continue
to monitor these important child support bills and update you on their status.
1 http://ohiosenate.gov/jones/press/jones-proposes-update-to-states-child-support-guidelines 2 www.nationallawjournal.com/id=1202756989274/Child-Support-Remains-Major-Point-of-Contention?slreturn=20160416130549 3 https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/download?key=4776&format=pdf
Amy Roehrenbeck & Traci Berry
Photo credit: OCDA
3
FAMILY FUN
Saturday, June 25, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Sunday, June 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carillon Park
Admission: $8 for adults, $7 for Seniors (60+) and $5 for children (3-17). Kids under 3 are FREE. There will be live steam engines, model train displays, historical exhibits, and free miniature train rides.
To learn more, go to: http://railfestival.com
Rail Festival
Saturday, August 6, 9 am to 1 pm
Habitat Environmental Center, 3036 Bellflower Street in Kettering
Several Montgomery County Optimist Clubs will be on hand to provide games for kids in grades
K-8. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and all are invited to a FREE picnic-style lunch.
Saturday, June 18 and August 6, 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Delco Park
The City of Kettering will host “Play 2 Day” and “Movie Under The Stars” at Delco Park. Family
activities begin at 6 pm and the movie begins shortly after dusk (around 9 pm). This is a FREE event.
To learn more about activities and events being offered by the City of Kettering this summer, go to:
http://www.playkettering.org/Activities-Guide/Summer/
Kids Day In The Park
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Friday, July 29 through 31
RiverScape MetroPark / FREE admission
Dayton Celtic Festival
Friday, Aug. 12 through 14
Carillon Park / FREE admission (Parking $2)
Germanfest Picnic
Saturday, Aug. 20
RiverScape MetroPark / FREE admission
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Friday, Sept. 9 through 11
Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park/$2 admission
Dayton Greek Festival
Kettering’s Go 4th!
Monday, July 4th at Delco Park. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Live
entertainment, food vendors. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
Celebrate America at the following Independence Day events: Celebrate America at the following Independence Day events:
City of Dayton Lights in Flight Fireworks Festival
Sunday, July 3rd at RiverScape MetroPark. 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Live
entertainment, food vendors, multi-cultural festival. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
Star Spangled (Huber) Heights Celebration
Saturday, July 2nd at Thomas Cloud Memorial Park. Food vendors & live music. Parade starts
at 10 a.m. followed by fun family activities. Car show at 4 p.m. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
Other Summer Events
Centerville-Washington Township Americana Festival
Monday, July 4th. Parade starts at 10 a.m. on East Franklin Street. Street Fair from 9:30 a.m.
until 5 p.m. on North Main Street, Centerville. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
Dayton Metro Library:
Astronaut Training, Reading Buddies, Math & Science Fun, and On Your Mark Dance
For dates and times go to: www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/events
Montgomery County Fair:
Aug. 31st through Sept. 5th at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1043 S Main St. Dayton, Ohio
$8 admission (6 & under FREE). Wednesday through Thursday, admission is $4 until 4 p.m.
FAMILY FUN
5
Dear Adam Dear Adam,
I recently got married and my husband has much cheaper health insurance available
through his employer. Although I am ordered to provide health insurance, can my hus-
band add the kids to his insurance plan instead of keeping them on mine?
- Working Mom
If you would like to ask Adam a question, please email him at:
MC P TO C @j fs .oh io . gov
Adam is Managing Attorney & Coordinator for MCCSEA PTOC.
Dear Working Mom,
Most Montgomery County orders authorize you to provide health insurance through an
alternative plan, such as those available through a spouse. You need to contact the CSEA
and provide proof that the children are currently covered under your spouse’s health in-
surance plan. Other evidence may be requested to finalize the change. Our case manag-
ers will gladly help update your case if alternative coverage is permitted. Just be sure you
coordinate with the CSEA before you change insurance!
- Adam
6
Want to make your own 4th of July Handprint Flag?
Follow these simple directions:
Materials:
Red, white, and blue washable craft paint
2 sturdy white paper plates
White poster board
Pencil & Ruler
Directions:
1. Using a pencil and a ruler, draw the outline of the American flag lightly on the poster board.
Draw a square in the top left corner for the stars and thick lines for the stripes.
2. Place blue paint on one paper plate.
3. Place red paint on the other paper plate.
4. Dip one hand in the blue paint and then press your hand inside the square area on the
poster board multiple times to create the handprint stars.
5. Dip your other hand in the red paint and then press that hand on every other line multiple
times to create the stripes.
6. Let dry & display your flag for Independence Day!
Credit: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/963658/4th-of-july-crafts-for-kids
Ingredients:
Strawberries, washed and dried
White chocolate
Blue sugar, edible glitter, or sprinkles
(blue sugar is shown in the picture)
Directions:
Place blue sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl, melt the
chocolate in the microwave on 50% power for two
minutes. Stir until the bowl is no longer warm. Then
microwave for 30 second intervals at 50% power, stirring after each, until the chocolate is com-
pletely melted. Dip the lower two thirds of the strawberries in the melted white chocolate. Then,
dip the lower third of the strawberries in the blue sugar. Place on wax paper until completely cool.
Credit: http://www.thesisterscafe.com/2011/06/4th-july-strawberries
For more 4th of July activities, check out www.thecraftycrow.net/fourth_of_july/
7
ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER?
Draw a face & color the picture! Parents can email your art to [email protected]
Submissions will be displayed at the CSEA.
Credit: http://todaysmama.com/2013/06/july-4th-coloring-pages/
8
MCCSEA
Montgomery County CSEA
14 W. Fourth St., P.O. Box 8744
Dayton, OH 45422
http://on.fb.me/1NIyhOf
http://twitter.com/mcdjfs
Chat with a child support specialist
at www.mcsea.org
Montgomery County PTOC has received tremendous praise from both parents and community partners. We asked one partner, Dayton Mediation Center, to share their thoughts about this program. Dayton Mediation Center helped design the Parenting Time Opportunities for Children (PTOC) program. Their participation gives parents the ability to create a plan that works best for their specific situation. Dayton Mediation Center can help co-parents improve communication and trust, which increases stability for their children while reducing conflict between each other.
When asked to give her thoughts about PTOC, Michelle Zaremba, Dayton Mediation Center’s Director, said:
“Mediation is beneficial whether parents come to any agreement or not. We believe this and see this every day. Sometimes a person is able to say what they have needed to say to the other person in mediation. In that moment, the other parent might not be ready to hear it, but because the person said it, they feel calmer and clearer and may make different decisions about how to handle future communication with the other parent. Sometimes with mediation, a parent will hear information that they didn’t have before, which can also help them to understand why the other person made the decision that they did.”
Dayton Mediation’s mission is to provide conflict management services through education and empowerment of citizens to their own situations. In other words, to help families go from conflict to conversation.
To learn more about Dayton Mediation Center visit
http://daytonmediationcenter.org or contact them at (937) 333-2345.
PARENTING TIME NEWSLETTER
HIGHLIGHTING OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS: DAYTON MEDIATION
