August is National Child Support Awareness Month

Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) Child Support Services is taking a holistic approach to strengthen outcomes for kids in Mesa County. We are striving to remove barriers and provide additional resources through collaborative efforts.

Child support is an important part of building a better future for our next generation. The payment of child support is positively associated with a child’s social and emotional well-being and academic success. Experts have estimated that a dollar of child support has a greater benefit to that child than a dollar received solely from assistance programs. In Mesa County, the cost-effectiveness ratio for every dollar spent is $6.85.

“Child Support Services are focused on providing assistance to the entire family,” says Workforce Center Director Heather Nara. “Our Child Support Team strives to connect parents and other caretakers with the resources that will help lift their families to a better place.”

Our program aims to ensure children receive financial and medical support from each parent. We work with families to ensure the payment of over $1.1 million in child support on average each month. MCDHS Child Support Services oversees a caseload of nearly 6,000 cases.

Following the program’s move to the Workforce Center in 2022, Child Support Services works collaboratively with the Workforce Center's employment and training programs to provide parents with the skills needed to improve their financial situation. This may involve training to gain new skills and/or assistance with their search for employment.

For more information about Child Support Services, please call 970-248-2780. For more about Workforce Center programs and services, visit www.humanservices.mesa county.us.

“Mesa County Department of Human Services—Helping individuals and families achieve safety, stability and the opportunity for meaningful employment.”