Supervisors of the San Mateo County proclaimed this Tuesday through August as Child Support Awareness Month in order to highlight that the county is committed to ensuring the well-being of children through neutral, helpful and fair services.
“Child Support Awareness Month is a crucial step in elevating the critical role child support plays in ensuring a brighter future for all children,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who sponsored the proclamation.
"By ensuring consistent financial support, children are given the resources they need to thrive and reach their full potential," he added.
Thus, effective Wednesday, August 2, the County Department of Child Support Services will extend reception hours from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the month of August. No appointments needed.
Also through August, authorities said, the family law facilitator will hold appointments on Friday afternoons specifically for clients of Child Support Services.
To schedule an appointment, clients have three options: contact their caseworker, call 866-901-2312, or email smcdcss@smcgov.org.
“Our goal is to improve 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 Child Support Services. San Mateo County Children's. "Every family is unique and we can help tailor support to specific circumstances."
Supervisors noted that technological advances, such as virtual court hearings and simplified online registration, 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 being left without much-needed resources."
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