EDUCATION, REHABILITATION AND SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (ERASE) Suffolk County Department Of Social Services 3455 Veterans Memorial Highway Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 (631) 854-3274

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Program Description/Purpose: The Education, Rehabilitation & Support Enforcement Program (ERASE)/Early Intervention Program (EIP) programs are for Suffolk County residents provide after court interviews to non-custodial parents on their newly ordered child support from Family Court. During the interview, profile information is collected and rights and responsibilities are explained before the parent leaves the Court.

EIP staff monitors payments for the first six weeks of the effective date of the court order. If the parent is not in compliance, a violation request is sent to the Child Support Enforcement Bureau for further court action.

The EIP Program also offers a free monthly on a volunteer basis. This seminar is facilitated by an attorney who explains the legal rights and responsibilities of non-custodial parents.

Program Impact: In 2007, EIP interviewed over 1,500 non-custodial parents in Suffolk County:
$999,000.00 in child support was due
$927,000.00 in child support was paid
A total of 93% of child support was collected

Program Outcome: The Family Court process can be very confusing and intimidating. The Early Intervention Program is successful because it gives direction and guidance to both non-custodial and custodial parents with regard to their individual child support order. Each Respondent and Petitioner is given all the information that is needed to completely understand all of the components of their child support order. The focus of this department is to assist the Respondent with the tools they need to make their child support payments in a timely manner avoiding a violation petition.

Funding: The ERASE/EIP Program receives its funding through the Suffolk County Department of Social Services.