The hospitals benefit because they have another resource to turn to for questions encountered by the birthing clerks. The hospitals also benefit because they receive funds from the state for each approved Certificate that is signed by the parents in the hospital during the birthing process. These funds are not included in the hospitals budgets and are generally used for special projects. Vital Statistics and Registrars benefit because they also have another resource to turn to if they have questions about the paternity process, birth certificates or child support questions. Both Vital Statistics and the Registrars have benefited from POP because POP has helped identify problems with the birth certificate process and assisted in the resolution of these problems.
POP helps health and social service providers better serve their client base.
Frequently, provider staff do not know who to turn to when a client asks a question about child support, paternity or the birth certificate process. In the few moments remaining, I would like to underline some important lessons. The POP program in New Jersey is demonstrably a success. We think that it fully justifies the required investment of time and money. You will find a one-page handout attached to my testimony.