DENVER (Aug. 3, 2021) — Gov. Jared Polis has proclaimed August to be Child Support Awareness Month. This comes as child support payments received in Colorado reached an all-time high of $385 million in 2020.
The proclamation recognizes the national observance of Child Support Awareness Month, established in 1995 by President Bill Clinton, to help ensure that all children have the financial support they need to thrive. The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Division of Child Support Services and county child support programs across the state plan to recognize the month with a series of virtual events.
“I am both humbled and honored to work alongside child support professionals across the state who provide outstanding child support services to over 130,000 families in Colorado, other states and around the world,” said Child Support Services Director Larry Desbien. “They continue to put Colorado families first by innovating their service delivery models and partnering with local community resources to give all parents and caretakers the tools they need to thrive.“
Colorado has made extensive program improvements in fiscal year (FY) 2021 by implementing a mobile-friendly online application, automatic direct deposit, state and federal funding to expand employment services, as well as encouraging parenting time and parenting plan development through the coParenter App in select counties. In FY21, Colorado was awarded $2 million in federal grant funding to further develop its program.
Colorado's 700 child support professionals collected more than $385 million for families across the state in 2020. In addition, with the help of child support offices across 64 counties, Child Support Services assisted 771 families in establishing paternity for their children.
For more information on how your area is celebrating Child Support Awareness Month, please contact your county human services department.
More information about child support services can be found at https://childsupport.state.co.us.
Media contact:
Madlynn Ruble
Deputy Director of Communications
madlynn.ruble@state.co.us
303.866.3411