DENVER (Aug. 14, 2024) — The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is spotlighting milestones in child support services this August in honor of Child Support Awareness Month. Over the past year, Colorado families gained greater access to support programs and services, received more options on how to make support payments and experienced fewer roadblocks to reunification.
“CDHS is committed to making sure that every child in Colorado has a strong start and an opportunity to thrive,” said CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes. “Thanks to the bold initiatives and programs that we have rolled out over the last year, Colorado has remained a national leader in developing and implementing ways to support children and families.”
In the past year, CDHS’s Division of Child Support Services:
- Implemented a rule change that eliminated mandated referrals from child welfare to child support services, lessening barriers to family reunification.
- Expanded ways to pay support obligations to include Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo.
- Provided greater access to employment programs, supportive services and parenting programs to further focus on supporting whole families.
- Increased safe access to services for victims/survivors of domestic violence through the Safe Access to Victims' Economic Security (SAVES) Center and Demonstration grants.
“With great support from our county partners, CDHS continues to implement innovative tools to help Colorado families thrive,” said Larry Desbien, director of the Division of Child Support Services. “Our staff is dedicated to continuing to grow and adapt to meet the needs of families statewide.”
In recognition of these accomplishments, Gov. Jared Polis officially proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month. The proclamation recognizes the national observance of Child Support Awareness Month, which was established in 1995 by President Bill Clinton to help ensure that all children have the financial support they need. CDHS and county child support programs across the state plan to recognize Child Support Awareness Month by promoting public awareness through advertisements in school newsletters, a paid social media campaign, and local community outreach.
For more information on how your area is celebrating Child Support Awareness Month, contact your county child support office. You can also learn more about the program on the Colorado Child Support Services website and by following Colorado Child Support Services on social media @SupportCOKids.
The Colorado Division of Child Support Services (CSS) works with parents and caretakers to make sure all Colorado kids get the financial support they need to thrive. CSS offers different types of services to meet the needs of families and is committed to providing a family-centered service delivery model that both promotes and addresses barriers to consistent child support payments.
Media contact:
AnneMarie Harper
Director of Communications
annemarie.harper@state.co.us