Promotion draws attention to child support staff and to programs that right-size financial
July 28, 2016
Contact: Kari Nye
kari.nye@maryland.gov
(410) 767-8592
Baltimore—During the month of August, Maryland will join states throughout the U.S. in observing Child Support Awareness Month, an initiative to spotlight services that facilitate the ability of noncustodial parents to make regular payments to support their children. The yearly campaign also recognizes the efforts of professionals throughout the state who work year-round to make sure that child support programs fulfill their promise.
Each year, parental separation puts millions of children at risk of financial hardship. Child support offices aggressively pursue unfilled child support obligations, and in Maryland, the DHR Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA) also delivers services that help noncustodial parents develop reliable payment behaviors. CSEA prioritizes paternity establishment and fatherhood programs, targeted job training and placement services, efforts to “right-size” financial obligations for noncustodial parents, and rigorous follow-up to pursue support. The approach has paid off, and in federal fiscal year 2015, CSEA collected and distributed a record $564 million in support, reaching more than 214,000 families across Maryland. “By helping custodial and noncustodial parents find and keep employment, get medical and emotional assistance, and fulfill their obligations to their children, the CSEA is ensuring that Maryland’s kids are on a path to thrive,” said DHR secretary Sam Malhotra.
DHR—the Maryland Department of Human Resources—is the state’s primary social service provider, serving more than one million people annually. Through its 24 local departments of social services, DHR aggressively pursues opportunities to assist people in economic need,provide preventive services, and protect vulnerable children and adults in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. Additional information may be found at www.dhr.state.md.us, or on Facebook and Twitter
obligations for noncustodial parents
