The Sierra Nevada Regional Department of Child Support Services, run by Nevada County, is a leader in child support collection services, collecting $7.9 million last federal fiscal year for just under 2,400 families, including 62 in Sierra County.
The department ranks second in overall federal performance measurements as compared to the 47 other local child support agencies in California, Director Paul Johnson told the Board of Supervisors at its July 22 meeting. The department also helps other counties throughout the state with their collection efforts.
Johnson praised his “small but mighty” team of 17 staff members for the department’s success. "It is the relationships they (staff) build with our customers, that results in how well we do" he said. "We strive to make the process transparent for clients and to empower them to make decisions for themselves".
The impact of child support goes beyond resolving conflicts related to financial support, ultimately it is a program that reduces childhood poverty overall by 7% and ensures that children are receiving the financial support and medical coverage they need to thrive. At the end of the July 22 meeting, the Board of Supervisors declared August Child Support Awareness Month.