Keeping Promises: Child Support Team Helps Ease the Burden

Child support is more than just a monthly payment – it’s a way for children to have stability and access to opportunities. At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners recognized August as Child Support Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge the vital work of child support professionals and their commitment to making a difference in the lives of the families they serve.

Through the hard work and dedication of child support staff, the collections from noncustodial parents exceeded $50 million in FY2025, the highest level of collections since 2021 and the highest amount collected of any county in North Carolina. These payments were intended to cover essential needs such as food, clothing, housing, and education, as well as other expenses like healthcare and extracurriculars. 

“To me, that means we’re keeping our promise. We’re keeping our commitment to help families and relieve some of their financial burden,” said Fonda Clifton, Child Support Services division director. “We’re getting this money to families so they can pay for sneakers or dance class or food on the table. Every bit helps.”

Managing a child support case can include several steps, including locating noncustodial parents; establishing paternity; establishing support obligations; collecting and distributing support; and enforcing support obligations. To do this, the 140-person Child Support Services team relies on teamwork. They collaborate internally and with colleagues in the court system and Sherriff’s Office, as well as with partners across state lines.

“It really takes commitment from everybody. This is a good example of how when you work together, good things can happen,” said Clifton.

Mecklenburg County Child Support Services also has an Empowering Fathers Program to assist noncustodial parents who face barriers in securing and retaining employment, as well as maintaining healthy relationships with the custodial parent and their child(ren).  This program is managed through a partnership with the Urban League of Central Carolinas. In FY2025, 312 noncustodial parents were enrolled in this program.

Child Support Services staff are available to help customers at the Valerie C. Woodard and Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Centers. To find out more, visit DCR.MeckNC.gov/Child-Support.