What is a non-custodial parent?

A non-custodial parent (NCP) is the parent (mother or father) who does not live with the children.

NCPs face many issues as they attempt to participate in the lives of their children.

In 1995, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Division of Child Support Enforcement recognized these issues and opened the Non-Custodial Parent Services Unit (NCPSU) in Chicago to serve Cook County. In 1996, a second unit serving St. Clair County was opened in Belleville.

The Non-Custodial Parent Services Unit (NCPSU) was created to provide non-custodial parents of children receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) with a way to address their needs and concerns.

What services are available through NCPSU?

NCPSU offers participants a variety of program options designed to address a wide range of issues facing NCPs.

Employment/Training

Earnfare - A state sponsored training program that allows participants to get paid while learning on-the-job employment skills.

Supervised Job Search - Structured Job Search activities through the use of job diaries that are monitored and verified every 30 days.

Social Services

Community-Based (CBO) Service Referrals - Referrals to community based service provides for job readiness training, educational/vocational training, job placement and post-employment services.

Information Services

Non-Employment Related Services - Individuals can request information on a variety of child support issues including but not limited to paternity establishment.

How do I get involved with NCPSU?

NCPs get to NCPSU through three (3) methods:

Court Referrals - The Court may refer unemployed NCPs to participate in unit programming.

Administrative Referrals - Unemployed NCPs participating in the department's administrative paternity establishment program may be referred to participate in unit programming.

Self-referrals -Unemployed or underemployed individuals can apply to NCPSU to participate in unit-sponsored services. Self-referrals must meet program eligibility guidelines. Services may be restricted. Actual participation is dependent upon completion of an employability assessment and the method of referral to NCPSU.

Individuals, who are referred through the Court or the Administrative Process, may be subjected to further action for failure to fully participate in NCPSU programming. Self-referrals who do not participate fully will be subject to case cancellations.

Individuals should contact the nearest NCPSU office for program details.

If you are having problems seeing your children, we may be able to help. Child Support and the Domestic Relations Courts in Cook, DuPage and Peoria Counties have an Access and Visitation Program providing never-married NCPs services including: mediation, counseling, parenting education, enforcement of visitation orders and development of alternative custody arrangements.

For more information about the Access and Visitation Program, call the Non-Custodial Parent Services Unit at 312-793-7987 or E-mail Child Support Enforcement.

Non-Custodial Parents Are Important, Too!

Non-custodial parents play important roles in the lives of their children for many reasons.

Being a non-custodial parent does not mean that you have to be absent from your child's life.

Welfare Reform has placed significant importance on the support of both parents, as custodial parents join the workforce eliminating the need for public assistance.

For more information Contact the Non-Custodial Parent Services Unit (NCPSU)

Persons using a teletypewriter may call toll free 1-800-526-5812.