SAN JOSE
– Despite the budgetary gloom as of late, one county department
is taking fiscal pride in – of all things – child support
payments.
SAN JOSE – Despite the budgetary gloom as of late, one county department is taking fiscal pride in – of all things – child support payments.
The county’s Department of Child Support Services collected over $262,000 in child support back payments during a special three-month promotion that officials said was the first of its kind in the state.
Nearly 380 parents took advantage of the three-month Child Support Services Buyback program, which offered parents delinquent in their payments an opportunity to buy back or reinstate their drivers’ licenses at a reduced cost.
“The success of the program is an outstanding example of what county employees can do when money gets tight,” said Peter Dever, the department’s director.
Money collected in the promotion will go to both custodial parents and the state to reimburse welfare-to-work costs. Other counties across the state are pursuing similar programs, Dever said.
“With delinquent child support obligors coming to us, we saved thousands of staff hours chasing them,” he said. “And beyond the initial payments, we expect to obtain thousands more in residual collections.”
Although the buy back offer has now ended, officials still encourage delinquent parents to contact the agency soon. For parents whose licenses remain suspended, the department will soon step up its contempt-of-court filings, which could result in delinquent parents serving up to five days in the Santa Clara County Jail for each month of missed payments.
