Voluntary Paternity Affidavit Webinar October 25, 2016 10:00-10:30

Today Benefits of establishing paternity Psychological benefits Social benefits Financial benefits

How to Establish Paternity Marriage (any time between conception and birth) Court Order Voluntary Paternity Affidavit

Psychological Benefits More likely to have access to emotional support, social entitlement, and financial resources Strengthened emotional growth and child development Early father involvement has a significantly protective role against psychological maladjustment Higher amounts of father time and support are associated with fewer behavior problems Lack of paternal involvement may lead to increased risk of learning disabilities, substandard academic achievement, and more

Lack of Father Involvement Psychological Benefits Lack of Father Involvement Increased Risks Learning disabilities Substandard academic achievement Behavioral problems Teenage pregnancy Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf

Children with Fathers Involved are More Likely to Have Access To: Psychological Benefits Children with Fathers Involved are More Likely to Have Access To: Emotional/psychological support Social entitlement Financial resources Ovwhigo, P. C., Head, V., & Born, C. E. (2007). Child support outcomes of Maryland’s in-hospital paternity acknowledgement program. Family Welfare Research and Training Group.

Knowledge of Biological Heritage Psychological Benefits Knowledge of Biological Heritage Strengthened emotional growth Strengthened child development Adams, C. F., David, L., & Larry, C. (1992). Welfare Reform and Paternity Establishment: A Social Experiment. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management: [the Journal of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management], 11(4), 665.

Early Father Figure Involvement Psychological Benefits Early Father Figure Involvement Creates a significantly protective role against psychological maladjustment Flouri, E., Eirini, F., & Ann, B. (2003). The role of father involvement in children’s later mental health. Journal of Adolescence, 26(1), 63–78.

Father Time, Support, and Closeness Psychological Benefits Father Time, Support, and Closeness Amato, P. R., & Fernando, R. (1999). Paternal Involvement and Children’s Behavior Problems. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 61(2), 375.

Social Benefits Social Benefits Fathers are more likely to be involved in their child’s life More likely to be involved in their child’s life Positive associations with child mental health and well-being

More time spent with fathers Social Benefits More time spent with fathers Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf

More likely to be involved Social Benefits More likely to be involved Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf Ovwhigo, P. C., Head, V., & Born, C. E. (2007). Child support outcomes of Maryland’s in-hospital paternity acknowledgement program. Family Welfare Research and Training Group.

Positive associations with child mental health and well-being Social Benefits Positive associations with child mental health and well-being Amato, P. R., & Fernando, R. (1999). Paternal Involvement and Children’s Behavior Problems. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 61(2), 375.

Financial Benefits Child may be able to access paternal genetic history, medical records, receive other benefits (Social Security, medical insurance, etc.) Father may be able to take legal steps to get visitation, custody, and legal decision-making Child may be more likely to receive child support Father is more likely to comply with child support responsibilities when established at birth

Among children with paternity affidavits completed in Maryland, 1/3 of all children entered the child support system before their first birthday Financial Benefits Ovwigho, P. C., Bouchet, S., & Born, C. E. (Fall 2006). Do in-hospital paternity programs reach future IV-D clients? Child Support Quarterly, 28–30.

Financial Benefits Access to Benefits May access father’s genetic history and medical records Able to receive benefits Social Security Medical insurance Life insurance Veteran’s benefits Inheritance Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf

Financial Benefits Father may be able to take legal steps to gain rights to visitation, custody, and decision making Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf

More likely to receive child support Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf

Financial Benefits More likely to comply with child support services when established at birth Child And Family. (2012). In-Hospital Acknowledgement of Paternity Literature Review. The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved from http://childandfamilyresearch.org/content/uploads/2013/04/CFRP_AOP_Literature-Review_October2012_web.pdf

So What? Establishing paternity has direct impacts on the child Note: An overview of the benefits of establishing paternity are listed in both brochures (teal tri-fold “Unmarried Parents,” State of Iowa booklet) that are given to parents

Any Questions?

Vote on February Webinar Topic How to establish $20 reimbursement for hospitals Hospital curriculum overview What do parents need to bring to complete paternity affidavit? How to complete paternity affidavit Process of submitting the paternity affidavit (from the hospital to the new birth certificate) Addressing common paternity misconceptions

Mark Your Calendar! Future Webinar Dates: (No December Webinar – Happy Holidays!) Tuesday, February 28 Tuesday, April 25 Tuesday, June 27