Snead
LAURINBURG — Scotland County’s Department of Social Services saw success when it hosted a child support amnesty program during the month of August, allowing parents falling behind on child support payments to get back on track.
The program required a payment of $500 in order to waive an order of arrest of a non-custodial parent. It was held in addition to Child Support Awareness Month, which also took place during the month of August.
April Snead, director of SCDSS, said this year was the most successful year to date. According to Snead, 11 non-custodial parents took advantage of the amnesty program ins August and DSS collected $9,000 in outstanding child support payments. By comparison, $8,000 was collected during the program in 2018 and, in 2019, a total of $6,500 was collected.
“The child support program benefits custodial parents who are often single parents raising one or more children,” Snead said. “The program, by court order, provides an amount noncustodial parents are to pay each month to assist in the safety and well-being needs of their children.
“The program, through collections provided to parents, meet the needs of children in our community and enhances the success of families in our community,” added Snead.
When asked if the goal for this program was met, Snead said it was exceeded.
“We have several goals provided by the Department of Health and Human Services we strive to meet each year,” explained Snead. “This year we met three of five goals. Most importantly we exceeded our total collections goal.”
There are approximately 4,100 child-support cases in Scotland County.
Snead encouraged the community to visit the Scotland County Department of Social Services Facebook page to see those “most wanted” in child support, which are also listed on the Scotland County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page. Any information to help locate noncustodial parents can be reported to SCDSS at 910-277-2525.
Kelsie Lopes is a summer intern for The Laurinburg Exchange.