Child Support Awareness Month Recognized in August
Published on August 07, 2020
August has been proclaimed as Child Support Awareness Month by the Board of County Commissioners to celebrate parents who support their children and make child support payments consistently to care for them, and to increase public awareness of the child support program to reinforce the position that all parents must take responsibility for the financial, emotional and physical support of their children.
The board’s proclamation coincides with the national observance of Child Support Awareness Month, which was established in 1995 by President Bill Clinton to help ensure all children have the financial support they need while fostering strong families and responsible parenting.
“Financial support is a right that belongs to every child, and our child support staff have multiple tools to fulfill that right,” said Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, Coordinator for the Department of Human Services (DHS). “Together with court clerks, judges, county attorneys and deputy sheriffs, they work diligently to establish and enforce child support obligations for the benefit of Weld County children.”
The child support program has long been recognized as one of the keys to self-sufficiency for families. Children thrive when family members work together to provide for their emotional and physical needs. This is especially important when a family structure changes, because regardless of the family dynamic, the child’s needs remain constant.
“We’re committed to assisting parents obtain the financial support necessary for their children to prosper in a stable setting,” said Jamie Ulrich, DHS Director. “And we’re equally dedicated to helping parents understand how critical their participation is in the lives of their children. Both parents have a responsibility to support their children financially and emotionally — child support is more than just money.”
The Child Support Services (CSS) division of the Weld County DHS provides help to parents and anyone caring for a child. CSS can help locate parents, establish paternity, establish a child support order and enforce child support obligations.
CSS division stats through June 2020 include:
- Total child support collections: $13,000,000
- Orders established: 147
- Orders modified: 144
- Phone calls taken: 9,000
Visit https://www.weldgov.com/departments/human_services/child_support_services to learn more.