For Immediate Release
Aug. 5, 2003

Richmond - Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Commissioner Maurice A. Jones today announced that the Commonwealth collected and distributed a record $506.2 million in child support for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

"Children fare better when both parents contribute financially and emotionally to a child's well being," Jones said. "The goal of our Child Support Enforcement Program is to assure the financial support of children when parents live separately. When parents contribute financially, they are more likely to contribute emotionally. The children benefit from having both parents involved in their lives."

The record $506.2 million in collections is a 6.8 percent increase over last fiscal year. This one-half billion dollar collection figure represents a tripling of collections over a decade ago.

One-quarter of the children in Virginia benefit from child support collections efforts.

"We applaud parents who provide their children with the love and financial support needed to grow into responsible, contributing adults. We encourage other parents who owe child support to follow in their footsteps. Their children will thank them for their involvement in their lives," said Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) Director Nick Young.

"Child support collection efforts require the partnership of financial institutions and employers, and we are grateful for their assistance in serving children," said Young.

In addition to collecting support, VDSS has a variety of programs to strengthen families and promote responsible parenthood.

DCSE provides services to custodial and non-custodial parents at 21 locations throughout Virginia. Parents and non-custodial parents may access their cases information on the agency's Web site, which provides updated case and payment information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on Virginia's Child Support Enforcement Program, visit http:www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse.html.

"Child support collection efforts require the partnership of financial institutions and employers, and we are grateful for their assistance in serving children," said Young.

Marcella Williamson
Public Affairs
(804) 692-1031
mkw900@dss.state.va.us

Charles Ingram
Public Affairs
(804) 692-1619
cij900@dss.state.va.us
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