Record Child Support Collections Reported

Child support collections in June surpassed $10 million for the first time in county history and were almost $4 million more than collected in June 1995, Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi announced Tuesday.

Last month’s record total is partly due to intercepted income tax returns, which traditionally make June the highest month for collections. But the steady increase in collections can also be attributed to additional staff, increased training and a refined computer system, said Susan Delarue, chief of the family support division.

Capizzi said there was also a record collection of $82.6 million in fiscal year 1996-97, compared with $65.5 million the previous year and $53.6 million in fiscal year 1994-95.

“The family support division’s performance is remarkable, and it just keeps on getting better and better,” he said in a prepared statement.

The family support division is responsible for collecting child support for children who receive welfare benefits. The division alsowill collect child support payments at the request of parents in cases where welfare payments are not involved.

“The children of Orange County are beneficiaries of our ever-improving performance, as child support flows through our office and into their lives,” Capizzi said.

John Nazarowski, a spokesman for United Fathers of America Inc., said that he believes many claims are brought by vindictive former spouses against parents who are already making payments voluntarily.

“I feel that all fathers should maintain their obligation to their children no matter what it takes,” Nazarowski said. “At the same time, it would be nice if they took as much time and put as much effort into verifying their claims.”