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 White Plains, NY - For the sixth year, Westchester County’s Office of Child Support Enforcement has been recognized by New York State as having the most improved performance among large counties statewide.
The New York state Division of Child Support Enforcement awarded Westchester two certificates of achievement at its annual conference on March 13 at Bolton’s Landing, N.Y.
Westchester was singled out for best overall performance and most improved in child support collections. In 2007, the county collected $64 million in child support and increased collections by more than 5 percent. The county was also recognized for getting the courts to order support payments and at establishing paternity or proving parenthood – which must be done before the courts will order child support. Westchester’s collection, paternity, and support establishment rates all exceeded the 80 percent goal set by the state, making it the most improved office compared to the six large counties in the state (excluding NYC). In addition to Westchester, large counties include Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Suffolk, and Nassau.
Westchester’s Commissioner of Social Services Kevin Mahon said child support collection is not only important to the county because it helps to get families off public assistance, but it provides the children with a link to their non-custodial parent and improves their quality of life.
Westchester’s Office of Child support enforcement also received this recognition in each year 2002 through 2006.
Westchester’s success is attributed to aggressive action against non-paying parents and to use of innovative approaches that forge partnerships with other agencies that make it easier for parents to comply.
The Office of Child support uses a number of measures to get money including suspending driver’s and professional licenses, passports, garnishing wages, and tax refunds and lottery winnings. Since 2001, DSS has partnered with the Westchester county District Attorney’s Office to criminally prosecute habitually delinquent child support debtors.
And last year, Westchester County became the first in the state to publish the photos of parents who have failed to pay child support in newspapers and on its website.
Facts on child support collections:
From 1998 through 2007, child support collections increased more than 100 percent from $32 million to $64.5 million.
Paternity establishment increased 27 percent, from 62 percent in December 1998 to 89 percent in December 2007.
Support establishment increased 19 percent, from 69 percent in December 1998 to 87 percent in December 2007.
Child support collection rates for 2007 were 87 percent.
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