Month brings attention to importance of child support

July 25, 2012

Every month is important for parents to provide emotional and financial support their children.  The month of August has extra incentives to help non-custodial parents get back on track with their child support payments.

"We know it's a tough economy out there and some non-custodial parents have gotten behind on their child support payments," said Solano County Department of Child Support Services Director Pamela Posehn. "Our staff is dedicated to working with parents to find solutions to their child support matters."

During August, which is Child Support Awareness Month, special walk-in hours are available on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Department of Child Support Services at 435 Executive Court North in Fairfield. Child support staff will assist non-custodial parents in the process of modifying child support orders to reflect current income, explore programs that might waive some back child support debt, and establish affordable payment plans for the remaining balance.  Phone appointments are available by calling (866) 901-3212.

In addition, parents who have had their driver’s license or other professional licenses suspended for not meeting their full child support obligation may be able to get their licenses restored through special statewide programs available during Child Support Awareness Month.

“We cannot help you without your input,” Posehn said.

The non-custodial parent should be prepared to make a payment toward their back child support.  Future payments will be based upon the requirements of the court order and the non-custodial parent’s ability to pay.

Solano County currently provides child support services to 18,000 children, and collected nearly $38 million on their behalf in 2011.

The Child Support Program, authorized under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, has an impressive record of success and continuous program improvement. Since the passage of welfare reform in 1996, annual child support collections across the nation have nearly tripled from $11 billion to $30 billion, providing important economic security to many children and families.

The program removes about one million people from poverty each year, and provides 10 percent of income for all poor custodial families and 40 percent of income for those poor custodial families who receive child support. Receiving child support is also associated with other improvements to child well-being, such as better cognitive development among young children and better academic achievement among older children.

For more information, visit www.solanocounty.com/childsupport or call (866) 901-3212.