SANTA FE – In celebration of August 2023 as Child Support Awareness Month, New Mexico’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is urging all New Mexicans in need of assistance to reach out to them. Under its newly adopted name, the CSSD is highlighting its commitment to a more inclusive family-centered and service-oriented model. This approach aims to encourage greater participation by fostering partnerships that provide referrals for job development, employment opportunities, and reentry programs, while also implementing a families-first distribution of collections rather than relying on state and federal recoveries from low-income families to support its budget.
“Through this name change, we proudly showcase our program’s transformative journey over the last four years, embracing a truly inclusive family-centered and service-oriented model. This new approach fosters increased participation by forging valuable partnerships, facilitating referrals for job development, job opportunities, and reentry employment programs,” said Acting Human Services Department Secretary Kari Armijo.
During Child Support Awareness Month and throughout the year, parents are encouraged to connect with the CSSD to explore the services that can support their families. Applying for assistance is simple through the YES.NM.GOV website or by contacting the HSD Consolidated Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 283-4465.
“We are committed to prioritizing families by adopting a distribution system that places their needs first, steering away from state and federal recoveries that may burden low-income families,” said Betina Gonzales McCracken, director for CSSD.
For more information on the Governor’s August Child Support Awareness Month Proclamation, visit (link).
To access the HSD Acting Secretary’s Administrative order officially changing the name to Child Support Services Division, visit (link).
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We talk, interpret and smile in all languages. We provide written information to our customers in both English and Spanish and interpretation services are available in 58 languages through our provider, CTS Language Link. For our hearing, and speech impaired customers, we utilize Relay New Mexico, a free 24-hour service that ensures equal communication access via the telephone to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.
The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 1,070,126 New Mexicans through several programs including: the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Program, and several Behavioral Health Services.