Sheriff Glodis Announces Responsible Fatherhood Initiative

West Boylston – Joined by Department of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Marilyn Ray Smith, Sheriff Guy Glodis announced today a new child support enforcement program called the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.  Focused on identifying and pursuing fathers who are delinquent on child support, this program will also conduct paternity testing and one-on-one inmate financial counseling.  “One of the most heartbreaking problems facing Worcester County is the staggering number of fatherless children, cared for by mothers who rarely receive the child support they deserve,” Sheriff Glodis stated.  “Those children are the reason we’ve started this program.”  Based on ongoing inmate data sharing, the Sheriff’s Department and Department of Revenue will match inmates with unresolved cases, conduct monthly meetings with the inmates to set up payment options, offer paternity testing, and track the inmates once they leave incarceration.  Results from the initial data showed that 422 current inmates have at least one child support case, representing over 31% of the inmate population.  Arrears owed by these inmates housed at the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections totals $8,122,080.    Deputy Commissioner Smith: “I’d like to thank Sheriff Glodis for his leadership in recognizing the need to address this important issue.  Together the Department of Revenue and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department will defend single mothers and their children with the commitment and attention that they need.”  Another critical component of the Initiative is paternity testing, used to identify previously unnamed fathers, correct misinformation in custody and visitation cases, and establish health care, insurance, and assistance benefits for children.  Upon further review of inmate data, the Department of Revenue discovered 115 children whose previously unidentified fathers likely reside at the Jail.    Sheriff Glodis continued: “While we can’t always mend broken relationships, we can at least make sure these kids have the same support as every other child.  This program will help inmates meet their responsibilities to their children, and if they refuse, seek enforcement action.” “Inmates once thought they could come to prison to escape their obligations.  Not anymore,” Glodis concluded.