Department for Children and Families Office of Child Support Recognizes Child Support Awareness Month

The Vermont Department for Children and Families Office of Child Support (OCS) joins sister offices across the country recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month. Child support plays a critical role in helping children receive the financial support they need to thrive.

The funds OCS collects and sends to families support everyday needs such as housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and more.

"The support kids receive through payments to OCS are critical to their success," said Sandi Hoffman, Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families. "Families use this money to make sure they can meet their needs, and that children thrive - we can all get behind that mission."

Last fiscal year, OCS collected more than $41.5 million in child support for Vermont families. These funds helped support children's well-being, putting families on stronger financial footing across the state.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to prosper. Supporting children is a responsibility we all share, and child support helps provide children with the resources they need to succeed at home, in school, and in life," said OCS Director Lisa Rivers.

OCS services are free and available to parents and guardians regardless of income. OCS helps families establish, change, and enforce child support orders. OCS can also help determine a child's legal parents through the court process, arrange genetic testing when needed, locate parents, and collect and distribute child support payments. In many cases, genetic testing is available at no cost to families.

OCS recently launched new tools to make it easier for families to access information, resources, and support. This Child Support Awareness Month, learn more about available services and how child support helps create long-term stability for children.

For more information, visit the Vermont Office of Child Support website: https://dcf.vermont.gov/ocs or call 1-800-786-3214.