G A B, ,I. bwdlker, Cammissioner H$QQ,C@eorgia Department of Human Resources Office of Communications Dena J. Smith, Press Secretary r b i I N4 Two Peachtree Street, NW Suite 29-426 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142 Phone: 404-656-4937 Fax: 404-651-6815 3 0 4 -'&FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22,2006 For information, contact: Barbara Joye 404-657-1385 briove@dhr.state.ga.us VOLUNTARY PATERNITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ENCOURAGED AT GEORGIA BIRTHING HOSPITALS ATLANTA (GA) - Last year, the fathers of 61 percent of 57,442 children born in Georgia to unmarried parents put their names on their children's birth certificates by filling out forms provided at the birthing hospital through the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgement Program administered by the Department of Human Resources Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) through a contract with Policy Studies, Inc., in partnership with the hospitals and the Division of Public Health's Vital Records Office. Hospital staff provide unwed parents with information about paternity acknowledgement and guide them through the paperwork. Now, the program is challenging the hospitals to raise their paternity establishment rate by at least five percent by the end of the year by making sure parents understand its importance. Hospitals who meet that goal will receive a framed certificate, and the staff of the ten hospitals with the highest rates will enjoy a catered lunch. Establishing paternity creates a bond between the father and child when the mother and father are not married. It allows the child to receive social security benefits from the father if needed and obtain medical history from the father's side of the family, and it is required for establishment of a child support order. The paternity acknowledgement form also provides a space for the father to legitimize the child, if both parents agree, which allows him to petition for visitation or custody rights. Research suggests that the earlier paternity is established, the more likely it is that a father will support the child financially and emotionally, according to OCSS Director Cindy Moss. (more) HOSPITALS, PATERNITY ESTABLISHMENT - Page Two "Paternity establishment is very important for a child's future," says Moss. "When a father cares enough to put his name on the birth certificate he helps his child to develop a sense of identity. The child will have two parents with a legal responsibility to support the child, and the basis for an emotional bond with both parents. The hospitals are very important partners in this process, and we are sure they will be eager to be recognized as leaders in providing our children with the best possible start in life." For more information about the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgement Program, call 1-866-296-8262,or in Metro Atlanta: 404-521-2160. For information about acknowledging or establishing paternity after a child has left the birthing hospital, call the OCSS Hotline at 1800-227-7993 or in Metro Atlanta: 404-463-8800, or contact a local OCSS office. See www.ocss.dhr.~eor~ia.govfor OCSS office listings or for information about all OCSS services.