Schoharie County Child Support Program Tops in New York State

State Agency Presents Award to County Officials

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced that the Schoharie County Department of Social Services is being recognized for having the top performing child support enforcement unit in the State for 2013. Schoharie County is being honored as best among small counties for its success in establishing paternity, establishing child support orders, and collecting child support payments. OTDA is recognizing the top performing counties during August, which Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has proclaimed as “Child Support Awareness Month” in New York State. “Child support is a vital source of income for single-parent households and often is the difference between relying on assistance and remaining self-sufficient,” said OTDA Commissioner Kristin M. Proud. “Schoharie County is truly a leader in the work it does on behalf of children and families and I commend its entire child support staff for their professionalism and dedication to this mission.” Child support services are provided by the local child support enforcement units of the 57 counties and New York City. In 2013, more than $1.8 billion was collected on behalf of custodial parents and their children in New York State, including $3.8 million in Schoharie County. In Schoharie County last year, paternity was established in 98.7 percent of cases, well above the statewide rate of 85.3 percent, a child support order was established in 95.4 percent of cases, exceeding the statewide rate of 81 percent, and 90.5 percent of current child support owed to custodial parents was paid in a timely manner, compared to the statewide rate of 77.4 percent. In addition to Schoharie, Saratoga County was recognized as tops overall among medium counties and Monroe County as best overall among large counties. Programs honored as most improved in the state were New York City, large counties, Rockland County, medium-sized counties, and Delaware County, small counties. Child support services are available to any parent, guardian, or caretaker of a child for whom child support is needed, regardless of income. After applying, local county child support enforcement units provide assistance in: Locating noncustodial parents; Establishing legal paternity for children born to unmarried parents; Obtaining a court order for financial support and health insurance coverage; Collecting child support payments; and Providing enforcement services when noncustodial parents fail to pay their child support. For additional information on child support services, please visit the OTDA child support website atchildsupport.ny.gov.