The Oklahoma Department of Human Services sends this information as posted below:
Oklahoma City, OK (Oct. 24, 2024) – The Protection and Access Toward Hope Centered Support (PATHS) five-member team, housed under Oklahoma Human Services’ Child Support Services division, is committed to protecting Domestic Violence (DV) survivors and helping them thrive.
Two years after Oklahoma Human Services received a $1.26 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to implement strategic services for DV survivors needing assistance accessing child support, the small but mighty team the grant helped create has changed the lives of countless Oklahomans.
Since last year, PATHS has provided specialized case consultations in more than 500 cases for survivors in Oklahoma, assisting them in safely pursuing child support and accessing necessary resources.
Oklahoma ranks highest in the nation for incidences of domestic violence, and more than 18,000 custodial parents in Oklahoma have a family violence indicator noted within their child support case. By collaborating with the courts and nonprofit organizations that share a mission of supporting DV survivors, PATHS has been able to remove the fear of retaliation and threat of harm that can result when DV survivors seek child support.
“We know that one primary reason given by domestic violence survivors for staying with or returning to an abusive partner is financial dependence,” said Jogeina Tharp, PATHS Program Manager. “By providing domestic violence survivors with tailored support services, we empower them to pursue the child support they are entitled to, ensuring they can do so safely for themselves and their children.”
The PATHS team offers support services such as resources, safety planning and working with the legal system to provide trauma informed approaches for domestic violence survivors.
PATHS is committed to providing viable pathways for survivors of domestic violence to safely access child support. The program aims to instill hope in customers by supporting efforts that enhance safety and economic stability. PATHS is equally dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about child support services and safety protections available to the community.
For additional information about Child Support Services or how to initiate a case, visit Child Support Services.
If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please seek help by contacting the Oklahoma Safeline at 1-800-522-SAFE (7233).
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