Redwood City – Child support helps provide children a healthy start with the shelter and safety they deserve and encourages responsible parenting, according to County supervisors who today recognized August as Child Support Awareness Month.
“Child support plays a key role in creating stable and nurturing homes, ensuring children have access to essential resources such as healthcare and education. It's also important for making sure that if a child is being raised in two households, that they have a similar lifestyle and similar support in both of those households,” said District Two Supervisor Noelia Corzo who sponsored the proclamation.
While every family and their financial needs are different, those that work in child support services say each warrants access to the support and tools needed to navigate the necessary bureaucracy and meet their legal obligations.
“The child support program is a vital resource to assist in the co-parenting process and our child support professionals work to provide solutions in a fair and equitable way,” said Kim Cagno, director of the County’s DCSS. “Our goal always is to find non-judgmental and tailored solutions that benefit children so they have the best chance of success.
In April 2024, the department took a big step in making that goal even more attainable by replacing its application process with a new simplified online form. The form is the first of 10 steps in the child support case process and Cagno said the caseworkers in her office are ready to help parents and guardians work their way through them all.
Additionally, starting this month the Family Law Facilitator is holding an increased number of Friday afternoon appointments specifically for Child Support Services Clients. Make an appointment through a caseworker, calling 866-901-2312 or emailing smcdcss@smcgov.org.
Corzo lauded the department for these services and all the department does.
“Child Support Awareness Month elevates awareness of the incredible resource our Department of Child Support Services provides to our community,” she said.
For more information about the programs available through California Child Support Services, visit https://www.smcgov.org/dcss
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org