Issues - Stronger Families
STRONGER FAMILIES
As a devoted husband of 35 years, a loving father, and, most recently, a proud
grandparent, it’s no surprise that Governor Barbour is committed to building stronger
families in Mississippi. His work to support family values has been recognized by local,
state, and even national outlets. In fact, Governor Barbour received the Americans for
United Life’s (AUL) “2004 Legislative Session of the Year” award for enacting pro-life legislation in
Mississippi. Governor Barbour understands that close-knit families are the roots of a healthy society,
which is why he continues to promote stronger families as one of his key initiatives.
KEEPING MISSISSIPPI THE SAFEST PLACE IN AMERICA FOR THE UNBORN
After Governor Barbour signed into law seven new pro-life laws, the AUL organization called Mississippi the “safest place in the nation for an unborn child.” One of these measures is a “conscience exception” bill, which allows health care providers to opt out of performing abortion without fear of retribution. A bill passed in the 2007 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Barbour requires physicians to offer a woman seeking an abortion the opportunity to view a sonogram.
PROTECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Governor Barbour proposed and the Legislature enacted reforms to improve the state’s foster care
system, which serves more than 3,000 of Mississippi’s most vulnerable children and families. As a
result, an alternative certification process for social workers was developed, which increases the pool
of available caseworkers. Additionally, the Department of Human Services was reorganized to put
approximately 70 more direct-care caseworkers into our foster system, and social workers and child
protection specialists were even given a pay raise. A state-funded scholarship program was also
established to encourage family protection workers to obtain certification as Licensed Social
Workers.
PROMOTING ADOPTION THROUGH STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Parents who want to adopt a child into a loving home sometimes face a costly, bureaucratic process.
The Governor signed into law a $2,500 income tax credit to help adoptive parents with costs
incurred when adopting a child. Governor Barbour also signed legislation that authorizes DHS to
provide “kinship payments” to family members who agree to take in a foster child.
COLLECTING DELINQUENT CHILD SUPPORT
Earlier this month, DHS’s Division of Child Support Enforcement announced a total of $23.5
million in past due child support was collected through interception of State and Federal income tax
refunds in the tax year 2006. Child Tax Credits are also subject to tax interception for past due child
support. Collections for 2007 currently exceed $22 million.
Governor Barbour is maintaining his commitment to building stronger families by making
Mississippi the safest place in the nation for an unborn child while promoting adoption and
protecting the most vulnerable children in our society.