CAMARILLO, CA – August is recognized nationwide as Child Support Awareness Month. August serves as a time to recognize and celebrate the vital role the child support program plays in promoting the safety and well-being of children. Statewide, California provides support services to one million children—helping families thrive and setting children up to succeed.
The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) recognizes that children are our community’s legacy and future. VCDCSS promotes children’s health and well-being by encouraging responsible parenting, understanding parental support, and involvement in children’s lives, which helps drive positive child development outcomes.
In fiscal year 2021, VCDCSS collected $57.8 million in child support payments, sending 86% of those funds directly to families. “Without child support, I wouldn’t have been able to get anything,” said Ventura County resident Ritamarie Haugen, mother of three. For Haugen and thousands of other parents and families, the child support program assists them in providing a stable and nurturing environment for their children.
The services available through the Ventura County Child Support Services are as diverse as those who use them. Understanding one size does not fit all, VCDCSS’s priority is to engage both parents in the child support process, understanding each parent’s current life circumstances to provide a customized approach, unique to their situation. Services offered today are more flexible and responsive to the needs of modern families than ever before. From establishing a court order for monetary and/or medical support to aiding parents who may have fallen into debt and have a portion of their past due balance reduced, VCDCSS is committed to assisting families every step of the way.
During Child Support Awareness Month, it is important to remember that child support can ensure a steady upbringing for children. VCDCSS is available to help mothers, fathers, and legal guardians better understand their rights and improve their options as they support children.
To enroll in child support services or learn more about the Ventura County Department of Child Support Services, visit www.ventura.org/child-support-services/, call 866-901-3212, or text 805-316-6272.
