Press Release – May 13, 2022

Sacramento, CA – The Child Support Directors Association of California issued the following statement from Executive Director Greg Wilson on Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2022-23 “May Revision” budget proposal:

“As this year shatters records for the size of the state’s budget surplus, it also presents a can’t-miss opportunity to invest in the well-being of children and families.  Local child support agencies (LCSAs) are essential partners in confronting California’s epidemic of child poverty, with one in eight children in our state depending on an LCSA to deliver payments that sustain their food, clothing, shelter and health care. 

“The Senate’s Budget Blueprint recognizes that child support is essential to children’s well-being, positioning California in the lead as the largest state in the nation to finally reverse the policy of recouping CalWORKs payments from children.  In the context of an estimated $97.5 billion surplus, California can and must do more to bolster children and families and deliver on equity.

“New federal rules set to take effect in January will enable local child support agencies to take a more wholistic view of family needs and deliver more personalized aid to help parents meet their financial obligations and maintain a presence in their children’s’ lives.  But unless California begins to reverse two decades of stagnant or inconsistent funding for LCSAs, California children and families won’t see the full benefit of this significant policy shift.

“CSDA looks forward to working with the Administration and the Legislature over the next 30 days to ensure California doesn’t miss the opportunity to turn the tide on family poverty, particularly for children of immigrants, non-English speakers and children of color.”

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The Child Support Directors Association of California (CSDA) was established in 2000 as a non-profit association to represent the local child support directors of California’s 58 counties. The association strives to be of service to local child support agencies (LCSA) in their effort to provide children and families with financial, medical, and emotional support required to be productive and healthy citizens in our society.