A growing number of parents in Douglas County are not making their court-ordered child support payments. It’s just another sign of the weakened economy having an impact on local families.

Some parents who are supposed to be making the child support payments have lost jobs or had their pay cut. Money just doesn’t go as far as it used to.

In most cases, this news isn’t just an example of a family not being able to go out to eat at a restaurant; it’s about not being able to eat at all.

John Giele, Douglas County assistant court trustee responsible for collecting the child support payments, said panic is setting in for some families. He said people are calling seeking relief.

The Douglas County Court Trustee’s office collected $5.7 million in child support payments last year. Payments are down 5 percent compared with this time last year.

The trustee’s office is also reporting that more of the delinquent cases are of those who had previously been good about making payments. And Douglas County unemployment was at 6.1 percent in August, up 2 points from a year ago.

So, the numbers are likely to grow even more before the economy starts to turn around.

There are no fines for those who don’t pay child support, but interest is added to back payments. Jail time is an option for a judge, but authorities say the court makes a distinction between those who are unable to pay due to a job loss, and those who are dodging responsibility. And someone who is in jail is of no use to anyone, especially a family that needs to be fed and clothed. Penalties aren’t the answer.

The responsibility rests with the parent who is ordered to pay. If the parent has lost a job, he or she should seek a new one even if it isn’t one that they would like. And if the parent has a job and is having trouble paying, get a second job.

The family comes first, even if it is a broken family.