The Office of Child Support Services

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) is a government agency that operates at the state level and is responsible for administering child support programs and services. The primary goal of OCSS is to ensure that children receive financial support from both parents, regardless of whether the parents are married, divorced, separated, or unmarried. Here are some key functions and responsibilities of the Office of Child Support Services:

1. Establishing Paternity: OCSS helps establish legal fatherhood for children born to unmarried parents by establishing paternity through genetic testing or voluntary acknowledgment. Establishing paternity is essential for determining parental rights and responsibilities, including child support obligations.
2. Establishing Child Support Orders: OCSS works to establish legally binding child support orders that specify the amount of financial support that non-custodial parents are required to pay for the care and upbringing of their children. Child support orders are based on state guidelines that take into account factors such as each parent’s income, the needs of the child, and the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the parents were together.
3. Enforcing Child Support Orders: OCSS is responsible for enforcing child support orders and ensuring that non-custodial parents comply with their financial obligations. Enforcement actions may include wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, suspension of professional licenses, and other legal remedies to compel payment of child support.
4. Modifying Child Support Orders: OCSS reviews child support orders periodically and may modify the orders if there are significant changes in circumstances, such as changes in income, employment status, or the needs of the child. Modifications ensure that child support orders remain fair and appropriate over time.
5. Locating Absent Parents: OCSS assists custodial parents in locating absent parents who are not fulfilling their child support obligations. This may involve using various methods, such as employment databases, credit reports, and other investigative techniques to locate non-custodial parents.
6. Providing Support Services: OCSS offers a range of support services to custodial and non-custodial parents, including mediation services, parent education programs, and referrals to community resources. These services help parents navigate the child support system and address issues related to co-parenting and financial support.
7. Collaborating with Other Agencies: OCSS collaborates with other state and federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, Department of Revenue, and Department of Human Services, to coordinate services and share information related to child support enforcement and compliance.
8. Promoting Responsible Parenting: OCSS promotes responsible parenting and parental involvement in the lives of their children, emphasizing the importance of both financial and emotional support for children’s well-being.

Overall, the Office of Child Support Services plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support they need to thrive and succeed, while also promoting parental responsibility and involvement in the upbringing of their children.