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

2. Today Benefits of establishing paternity Psychological benefits
Social benefits
Financial benefits

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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
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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Any Questions?

22. 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

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