Merced County declares August as child support awareness month and announces community event

Merced County has officially declared August 2025 as Child Support Awareness Month, a proclamation aimed at highlighting the critical role of child support programs in the community. During the Board of Supervisors meeting on July 8, 2025, officials emphasized the importance of raising awareness about child support services and their impact on families.

Katrina Holmes, the assistant director of the child support program, was introduced as a key player in the initiative. She shares the vision of enhancing child support services in Merced County, which serves nearly one in five children in the area. The program has shown impressive results, collecting nearly $30 million in child support for the fiscal year, with over 87% of that amount directly benefiting families in need.

The meeting highlighted national statistics, revealing that child support programs across the U.S. lifted 1.4 million families out of poverty each year. In California alone, 1.2 million children benefit from these services, underscoring the program's significance in reducing child poverty rates.

As part of the awareness campaign, the county will host its sixth annual Kids Connect event on July 15, 2025, at Margaret Sheehy Elementary School. This free community event will provide school supplies, food, and activities for children and families, continuing the tradition of supporting local families in need.

The Board's commitment to child support awareness not only aims to educate the public but also to ensure that families receive the financial support they require. With the program's funding fully covered by state and federal sources, it remains a vital resource for the community, promising to exceed $30 million in collections this year.