CASSOPOLIS — In 2010, the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office continued its efforts to bring parents into the lives of their children.

Since 2004, Prosecutor Victor Fitz’s office has focused on encouraging non-custodial parents to do their best to help their children.

This is routinely done by establishing paternity as well as securing orders to encourage capable parents — rather than the general taxpayer — to shelter, clothe and feed their own offspring.

The philosophy is simple and direct.

When a parent is involved in the life of their child, the child does better.

And the parent can be proud of their critical contribution to that success.

In July, the Board of Commissioners granted the prosecutor’s request to focus additional resources on pursuing child support efforts.

Their decision paid off.

In the six months since the board’s decision, the prosecutor’s office broke all previous six-month records regarding the number of child support orders obtained by the prosecutor’s office.

From July to December 2010, the office secured 193 such orders.

This six-month total of 193 orders surpasses the annual total number of orders garnered in eight of the past 13 years.

The annual average for the past 13 years has been 187 orders.

The previous six-month high had been 163 orders from July through December, 2008.

Fitz expressed his appreciation to commissioners, as well as acknowledging the staff efforts of both his office and the Friend of the Court.

He noted Wednesday, “Hard work and dedication made the second half of 2010 a banner period.”

Fitz also praised fathers and mothers for being responsible during these difficult times.

“In our current economic condition, dads and moms are the first line of protection for their kids. These orders encourage a more responsible and involved relationship between a parent and a child. Sons and daughters benefit in a variety of ways — both economic and personal.”

Fitz also noted that child support payment payments can be and periodically are adjusted to take into consideration a reduction or loss of income.

Overall, 2010 also saw the second-highest number of child support orders obtained since annual totals have been maintained.

Last year saw the establishment of 294 such orders.

The all-time high remains 304 in 2008.

Fitz indicated that absent a three-month vacancy in his Child Support Division during the first half of 2010, the 2008 mark likely would have been surpassed.

During the first half of the previous decade, the prosecutor’s office worked to establish 724 child support orders.

During the second half of the last decade, the number of orders increased by 41 percent to 1,234 orders.