The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is preparing for the mandatory review of the guidelines used by county child support enforcement agencies and the judicial system to determine child support payments by providing several methods for public input. Beginning in July, ODJFS will conduct 20 public forums across the state designed to gather feedback about the effectiveness or shortcomings of the guidelines. Comments will also be accepted through the Internet.

"Public input is a vital part of the evaluation process," said Tom Hayes, ODJFS Director. "We need to hear from all parties impacted by these guidelines to help us determine if any changes should be recommended."

The Ohio Revised Code requires the department to review these guidelines every four years to determine if any additions, deletions or clarifications are needed. The department will incorporate the input from the forums and website into the final recommendations to be presented to the General Assembly in March 2005.

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Editor's Note: Additional information may be viewed at jfs.ohio.gov/csguidelines