The Western Judicial Circuit is getting a new accountability court.
Superior Court Judge Regina Quick has committed to preside over a new Parental Accountability Court, the PAC is a joint effort between the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Child Support Services and Superior Court Judges to provide an alternative to incarceration and help those who chronically fail to pay child support make regular payments.
“The Parental Accountability Court will no doubt be a tremendous asset for at-risk families in the Western Judicial Circuit and an important new component to ongoing work in existing accountability courts,” said Chief Superior Court Judge Patrick Haggard in a press release. “PACs will utilize available state resources and operate within existing budgets in each county.”
The program uses community resources and judicial oversight to address barriers that keep parents from meeting their child support obligations. Each program, including the services provided to participants, is tailored to the needs of the local community. There are currently 33 such courts located throughout Georgia.
“The Parental Accountability Court will have an immediate, positive impact on the families we serve,” said Western Judicial Circuit Special Assistant to the Attorney General for Child Support Services Stephen H. Smith in a statement. “I look forward to working with Judge Quick and the staff as we move forward.”
To graduate, participants must meet pay child support for a minimum of six consecutive months. There are currently 33 such courts located throughout Georgia.
For information about the Parental Accountability Court Program, call 1-844-MYGADHS (1-844-694-2347) or visit dcss.dhs.ga.gov or www.accgov.com/pac.
