Redwood City – San Mateo County Supervisors today proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month to highlight local services that are neutral, helpful and fair.
“Child Support Awareness Month is a crucial step in elevating the pivotal role child support plays in securing a brighter future for all children,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who sponsored the proclamation. “By ensuring consistent financial support, children are empowered with the resources they need to thrive and reach their full potential.”
Starting Wednesday, August 2, the County’s Department of Child Support Services is extending lobby hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout August. No appointments are needed.
Also through August, the Family Law Facilitator will hold Friday afternoon appointments specifically for Child Support Services clients. (To schedule an appointment, clients have three options: contact their caseworker, call 866-901-2312 or send an email to smcdcss@smcgov.org.)
“Our goal is to enhance the lives of children and families by helping parents meet the financial, medical and emotional needs of their children by establishing and enforcing child support orders,” said Kim Cagno, director of San Mateo County Child Support Services. “Each family is unique, and we can help tailor assistance to specific circumstances.”
Technological advances like virtual court hearings and simplified online enrollment have made it easier for parents to access the services they need.
"We must challenge the issue,” Corzo said, “that child support is a burden to be avoided at all costs so that we end the norm of children going without much-needed resources."
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