August is Child Support Awareness Month, a time to recognize the critical income support program that helps thousands of children and families in Washington state. By ensuring consistent financial support, children are empowered with the resources they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
This year’s celebration coincides with an important milestone: the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, which established the nation’s child support program and ensures federal, state and tribal agencies work together to help children and families thrive.
Here in Washington state, we are committed to reducing poverty, and reliable child support is one way to help families reach economic stability. Children who receive child support are more likely to have access to the resources they need to meet their basic needs and are less likely to experience poverty and the associated negative impacts. DSHS’ Division of Child Support encourages family stability and child well-being by providing assistance in locating parents, establishing paternity, setting up child support and health care coverage, and collecting and distributing child support payments.
Every family, in all their diverse shapes and sizes, has different wants and needs, but we all have the same shared goal: to protect and uplift the generations of our future. During Child Support Awareness Month and every day, DSHS’s Division of Child Support is here for Washington families. Its 900+ staff members work to ensure that child support is available, right-sized and fosters children’s well-being. Happy Child Support Awareness Month, and here’s to the next 50 years of progress!