SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug 01, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — August is Child Support Awareness Month and states and local jurisdictions throughout the nation will work to increase awareness of the importance of both parents participating in the Child Support Program.
In recognition of Child Support Awareness Month in California, the Child Support Directors Association (CSDA) is pleased to be coordinating efforts with county child support departments that are working with parents to find solutions to child support matters.
As child support professionals, we know times are tough. California’s economy has struggled mightily over the past several years and as a result, so has California families. Two groups hit hardest by the economic crisis are single parents trying to raise a family on a tight budget, and parents struggling to pay court-ordered child support in the midst of a struggling economy.
According to CSDA Executive Director David Oppenheim, “As child support professionals, we know first-hand that times are tough. Single parents desperately need every penny of support owed just to keep paying the bills and parents paying support are finding it ever more difficult to secure and keep a good-paying job.”
CSDA encourages parents to drop by or call their county child support department. County child support professionals are dedicated to working with both parents to find solutions to child support matters. At the local office, a parent can make a payment, request modification of current support, request release of a professional license, inquire about a payment plan and, in some cases review a case for a potential compromise on an overdue balance.
In August, some local child support departments will also be initiating special projects to reach out to parents delinquent in their support. These efforts will include directed mailers, reminder calls to pay support and targeted outreach urging obligor parents to contact the county child support department.
The consistent payment of child support has been demonstrated to have an extremely positive impact on the lives of children receiving support. Studies have shown that children who receive support have better outcomes in school, are generally healthier, and typically have a better relationship with both parents.
