DHSS Press Release |
Date: September 3, 2003 DHSS-78-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Allison Taylor Levine Phone: (302) 255-9037 Pager: (302) 247-8523 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR MINNER ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTIONS
Governor Declares September is Child Support Month
Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) are happy to announce a record-breaking year for child support collections in the State of Delaware.
At an event this morning at Kent County Family Court in Dover, Governor Minner announced the record-breaking collections and signed a proclamation declaring September as Child Support Month. Also participating in the event were Attorney General M. Jane Brady, DCSE Director Charles E. Hayward and Chief Judge Chandlee Johnson Kuhn.
"The continuing good work of the Division of Child Support Enforcement means that more Delaware children are receiving the financial support they need and deserve," Governor Minner said.
In State Fiscal Year 2003, DCSE collected a record-breaking $84,453,693. Collections have increased by $36,488,626 over the past seven years, which represents a 76 percent increase from the collection level achieved during the State Fiscal Year 1996.
The increased collections are the result of technological advances, multi-state pacts for case processing, increased federal assistance to states, and the use of private information sources. All of these together have aided child support enforcement agencies in Delaware and around the nation to collect more of the court-ordered funds for families. Among the tools available are wage attachments, federal and state income tax interception, lottery winnings interceptions, suspension of licenses (for driving, hunting, fishing, professional, etc.) and passport denial.
As of June 30, 2003, Delaware's Division of Child Support Enforcement had 59,847 cases representing 62,122 children.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
