DSS recognizes August as Child Support Awareness Month

DSS recognizes August as Child Support Awareness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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DSS recognizes August as Child Support Awareness Month

August 1, 2024 - Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month to highlight child support and the services available to both custodial and non-custodial parents provided by the South Carolina Department of Social Services. According to the Administration for Children and Families, approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States receives services from a child support program.

"Child support is essential in the overall well-being of a child. Every parent has a legal responsibility to ensure that their child is supported until they reach adulthood," said Michael Leach, SCDSS State Director. "August is a time to celebrate the tremendous job done by child support programs year-round in serving parents and custodians in improving the financial condition of children in single-parent homes."

The South Carolina Department of Social Services provided services to over 194,000 children during the federal fiscal year of 2023. During that period, the child support program collected $300 million with 96% being distributed directly to families. South Carolina's Child Support Program established 7,105 support orders as well as establishing paternity for 22,616 children during the period.

DSS has made strides to add new features to the agency's website to enhance the customer's experience with the Child Support Services Division. In July 2022, DSS launched an Online Application Portal, which gives 24/7 access to individuals who seek to apply for child support services. Over 29,000 applications have been submitted since that time. In 2021, another online portal was launched to help individuals paying or receiving child support inquire about their case status virtually on a 24/7 basis. Since the launch, over 64,000 individuals have created accounts, and the portal has received over 4.5 visits. The Customer Service Portal was upgraded to a mobile device friendly platform in February 2023.

Another one of the DSS Child Support Program's offerings is the Visitation Involvement Parenting Program, also known as the V.I.P. Program. It currently operates in 16 South Carolina counties. The program offers parenting classes, mediation, and help with establishing and enforcing child support orders. Services were provided to over 700 people, with 359 children in common, during the federal fiscal year of 2023 through the V.I.P. Program. DSS also works closely with the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families and their five regional programs to support fathers and families across the state.

To learn more about the child support program, its services and how to apply, please visit: https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/.

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