JEFFERSON CITY — August 1st marked the beginning of Child Support Awareness Month, and fiscal year 2022 marks the eighteenth consecutive year of surpassing $500 million collected to support children and families by the Family Support Division (FSD).
The theme of this year’s Child Support Awareness Month is “You + Me = Us for the Kids.”
FSD has numerous outreach events planned for the month of August, including several fundraisers for Family and Community Trust (FACT). FACT is a Missouri non-profit corporation with a mission to promote and support effective public/private partnerships and community involvement to develop innovative solutions for improving the lives of Missouri’s children and families.
Child Support Enforcement, a part of FSD, offers numerous services beyond just establishment and collection of child support. They can also assist in establishing paternity and they support programs to teach responsible parenting and fatherhood.
Though the agency does sometimes need to take enforcement actions, they recognize and commend the voluntary actions of many parents to follow orders for the support of their children.
As Governor Michael L. Parson stated in his 2023 Child Support Awareness Month proclamation, “…all Missourians are encouraged to look to the future of our State and our children, and work together with child support professionals and community partners to improve lives for a brighter future.”
Anyone seeking information about child support services available through FSD may check the website www.dss.mo.gov/child-support/, or call 855–454–8037.
The mission of the Department of Social Services is to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives.