92% of Virginia babies born out of wedlock have fathers IDed on their birth certificates – Virginia Mercury
92% of Virginia babies born out of wedlock have fathers IDed on ... Virginia Mercury
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Virginia’s Paternity Establishment Program
Introduction
Each year, Virginia must ensure that at least 90% of children born out of wedlock have fathers identified on their birth certificates in order to receive maximum federal funding for low-income families living in the commonwealth.
Exceeding Requirements
According to the Virginia Paternity Establishment Program (VPEP), the state has been exceeding these requirements for at least a decade, even as over one-third of all births in the commonwealth continue to come from unmarried women.
VPEP program manager Yesenia Peiker reported that in 2022, Virginia had a 92% paternal establishment rate. While the commonwealth’s average rate in hospitals is 77%, Peiker explained that factoring in births that occur outside of hospitals is what puts Virginia ahead of the curve.
High Performance during the Pandemic
Peiker also highlighted that Virginia’s paternal establishment rates remained high during the COVID-19 pandemic, while rates in other states plummeted. After receiving “warning” letters from the U.S. Office of Child Support Services in 2020, those states were at risk of financial penalties if they didn’t improve their percentages. As a result, the federal threshold was lowered to 50% through the end of the 2022 federal fiscal year.
Voluntary Basis and Benefits
Virginia’s performance is especially notable because its program is structured around voluntary reporting of paternity, unlike some states that require a DNA test or court order. Peiker explained that establishing paternity is crucial because babies born to unmarried parents do not have the same rights as babies born to married parents in the commonwealth of Virginia.
For example, without established paternity, if the father were to die, the baby would not have automatic rights to death benefits like life insurance or other financial resources. Additionally, children without established paternity do not have access to their father’s health records.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The government’s focus on paternity is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to promote the well-being of families and ensure equal rights and opportunities for all children, regardless of their parents’ marital status. By encouraging greater legal identification of fathers, the government supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Paternity Establishment Program in Virginia
In Virginia, the Paternity Establishment Program is operated by health and human services consulting company Veritas-HHS through a contract with the Department of Social Services. The program encourages unmarried fathers to voluntarily establish paternity of their newborn child during the mother and child’s stay at the hospital.
An unmarried woman who gives birth at any of the 53 birthing hospitals around the state can have the father of her child acknowledge his parenthood by filling out an Acknowledgement of Paternity form. The father must then fill out another legal document outlining his rights and responsibilities to his child, similar to those of a married father.
Paternity can be established even after the hospital visit by downloading the Acknowledgement of Paternity form from VPEP’s website, the Virginia Department of Health, or the Virginia Department of Social Services. The form can be filled out, notarized by a birth registrar, and submitted to the state’s Office of Vital Records. There is no statute of limitations for establishing paternity in Virginia.
Peiker emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the program, as many parents may not be aware that their children do not have the same rights as children born to married parents. By increasing participation in the program, Virginia can further promote SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Conclusion
Virginia’s Paternity Establishment Program has been successful in ensuring that a high percentage of children born out of wedlock have fathers identified on their birth certificates. By exceeding federal requirements and providing an easy and accessible process for establishing paternity, Virginia is contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is still a need for greater awareness and participation to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all children in the commonwealth.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
- SDG 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
- SDG 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of children born out of wedlock with fathers identified on their birth certificates
- Paternal establishment rate
- Percentage of births from unmarried women
- Percentage of fathers voluntarily establishing paternity
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. | Percentage of children born out of wedlock with fathers identified on their birth certificates |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. | Paternal establishment rate |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. | Percentage of births from unmarried women |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Percentage of fathers voluntarily establishing paternity |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDG 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration. | Percentage of children born out of wedlock with fathers identified on their birth certificates |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: virginiamercury.com
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