Sunday, July 26, 1998

Custodial parents set meeting to organize

By Christie Robbins / Guest Columnist

In October 1997, the Abilene Reporter-News printed a letter to the editor I had written regarding the inefficiency and inadequacy of the Texas Attorney General Child Support Division.

My letter was followed by many others expressing the same frustrations. I personally received numerous phone calls and letters. I talked with and met many of you.

As a result, the group FACT (Fast Action for Children of Texas) was formed. Our intentions were to organize and hold regular monthly meetings, raise awareness, discuss ways in which the system could be improved and share experiences and suggestions of what has worked and what has not.

Unfortunately, our timing was bad. The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays were fast approaching. Parents were busy preparing for the holidays, working extra hours so they could provide their children with a decent Christmas and taking care of all the other responsibilities a parent faces on a daily basis.

Our little newly formed group fell to the wayside.

I apologize to the many parents I was unable to contact. This was partly due to an extremely busy schedule, lack of finances to answer each of you via mail, personal issues and, in all honesty, feeling overwhelmed at the response.

I felt as if I should have all the answers. After all, I started all this.

But, I didn't have all the answers. I still don't. But, I am sure of one thing. There is power in numbers. Each of us are taxpayers and voters. I am sure our collective knowledge can lead is in the right direction.

If you are a custodial parent, tired of being a victim of the system, then please join our efforts. FACT is open to parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and anyone who wants to see changes made.

If you are interested in joining our group, there will be a meeting at Rose Park, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m. Bring the kids, a couple of lawn chairs and something to drink. This will be a very informal meeting. I am not a politician, and as I stated earlier, I don't have all the answers. But, I do know that the first step towards change and success is organization.

Hope to see you there.

Christi Robbins is a single mother who lives in Abilene.

782 Jeanette St.

Abilene, Texas 79602

670-0560