The Talbot County Department of Social Services’ Child Support Program is offering a series of “Lunch ‘n Learns …A Conversation About Child Support,” throughout the community to promote program successes and to educate the community about various child support services, including employment resources for non-custodial parents. These community conversations are a result of an Administrative Office of the Courts grant, “Putting the Child in the Talbot County Child Support Program.” The meetings will not only create awareness of Child Support’s valuable functions, but it will also dispel common held myths and misconceptions.
The Child Support Program facilitates financial support for children, establishes paternity for children, and provides opportunities for non-custodial parents to obtain employment skills . In fiscal year 2011, the Talbot County Child Support Program realized a number of successes. The program managed 1063 child support cases, paternity was established in 100 percent of the cases requiring paternity, and payment was collected in 97.34 percent of the child support cases. Talbot County’s Child Support Program ranked first in Maryland for having the highest percentage of paying cases in all four quarters of the last fiscal year.
In addition to achieving these successes, Talbot County’s Child Support program offers a Non- Custodial Parent Employment Program and Young Fathers Program, both of which help participants to identify and remove barriers to employment in order to be financially independent, support their children, and become good role models for the future generation.
According to Dawn Coleman, Talbot County’s Child Support Supervisor, “In these difficult economic times, we are pleased that we can educate our partners about changes to Child Support policies and guidelines, as well as make them aware of the parent resources we offer to support families.”
While the county’s judiciary partners are key to the Department’s initiative, efforts are also underway to educate the Talbot County employer community to better understand Child Support polices and guidelines as they relate to employee wage withholding.
For further information about the Talbot County Child Support Program or to arrange a presentation to your business or organization, contact Dawn Coleman, Child Support Supervisor, Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-770-4848.
