Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus announces two milestone achievements by the Dutchess County Department of Social Services Child Support Division.

Dutchess County Child Support collected 84 percent of the total dollars owed for current support. This is well above the statewide rate of 70 percent.  In addition, in March 2005, the Child Support Division collected and dispersed $2,904,063, the highest monthly total ever.

County Executive Steinhaus stated “I am appreciative of the dedicated county employees who work day after day to protect the rights of children in our community.  Because of these employees Dutchess continues to be a model in the state for administering programs and services.”

Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Social Services Robert Allers said “Our child support staff is dedicated to helping all parents support their children and have been utilizing every tool enacted to assist in collecting support monies owed to parents.”

Child Support collections have risen from a total of $11,739,057 collected in 1995 to $26,537,960 collected and dispersed in 2004. This money was collected to help support over 7,400 families.