When I was newly non-custodial, no one wrote about non-custodial mothers, much less non-custodial dads. I learned about the books and online resources below as they were created. Click each link to learn more.
Know of a resource? Let me know! I’ll add it here.
The Invisible String. A children’s book about staying connected, separation, and grief (yes, you do grieve when you lose custody. It’s ok to do that.
The Magic Box. Activities for staying connected to your child, even when you’re apart.
A Mother Apart: How to Let go of Guilt and Find Happiness Apart from Your Child. The first book I found on non-custodial motherhood that wasn’t a sociological study.
Federal Resources
Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) / OCSE
Administration for Children and Families – OCSE. The primary federal agency overseeing the national child support program. It partners with state, tribal, and local governments to promote parental responsibility. It connects noncustodial parents to employment services, support orders, and access/visitation grants.
OCSE – Noncustodial Parent Resources. The federal hub focuses on fatherhood initiatives. It also organizes noncustodial parent employment demonstrations. These include the National Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration (CSPED) program.
OCSE – Access & Visitation Grant Program. This is a federally funded program with an annual budget of $10 million. It awards grants to states for services such as mediation, counseling, parenting plans, and visitation enforcement. These services help noncustodial parents maintain relationships with their children.
HHS – Child Support Policy Research (ASPE). The HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation conducts research and policy analysis. It covers child support and parenting time coordination. It also includes strategies for incarcerated or low-income noncustodial parents.
Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS). OCSE operates a federal system. This system can help locate a parent. It aids in establishing or enforcing a custody or visitation order. Requests must be made through a state child support agency.
National Advocacy Organizations & Nonprofits
Shared Parenting & Custody Reform
National Parents Organization (NPO). A leading nonprofit advocating for shared parenting through legislative reform, education, and research. The organization publishes the annual Shared Parenting Report Card. It grades every state’s custody statutes. NPO has helped pass equal shared parenting laws in multiple states.
Children’s Rights Council (CRC). Founded in 1985, CRC advocates for children’s involvement with both parents. They achieve this through custody reform, mediation, and parental education. CRC also operates Safe Haven Access Centers. Maintains chapters and access centers nationally.
ParentalRights.org. This organization is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. It works to preserve parental rights through federal and state legislation. It also advocates for a Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Fathers for Equal Rights – National Organization. Provides advocacy, training, and peer support for fathers seeking equal parenting rights. The organization offers volunteer legal guidance and self-representation resources. It provides survival packages. The organization has a network with over 50 years of experience in family court navigation.
Fathers for Equal Rights (Texas / National Network). Originally founded in 1974, one of the oldest and largest family law support organizations in North America. It offers resources on parental alienation, custody evaluations, and parenting plans. The organization also has a national referral network of counselors and family law attorneys.
Fatherhood & Family Support
National Alliance for Parent Representation (ABA). The American Bar Association leads an initiative to protect the rights of parents in the child welfare system. They do this through legal advocacy, policy reform, and access to quality legal counsel.
Dads Evoking Change (DEC). A nonprofit empowering fathers and families with free legal consultations, online group workshops, co-parenting therapy, and community resources. Focused on equity in family courts for fathers of color and low-income fathers.
City Dads Group. A national network connecting fathers through in-person meetups and community activities in metropolitan areas across North America. A strong peer-support and accountability community for fathers of all family structures.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC). A federally supported clearinghouse offering resources, toolkits, and program-building guidance for fatherhood programs and noncustodial parents nationwide.