DELAWARE DIVISION OF CHILD SUPORT SERVICES' NEW CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM RECEIVES FEDERAL CERTIFICATION

NEW CASTLE (June 13, 2016) - The new Delaware Child Support System (DECSS) has received federal certification from the U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement within the Administration for Children and Families. The Delaware Division of Child Support Services' new automated child support system allows for increased case processing functionality, locate tools, automated interfaces, and sharing of information with other state and federal resources, as well as efficient and timely processing of child support payments.

The Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, within the Administration for Children and Families, notified the Delaware Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) on May 9, 2016, that its new Delaware Child Support System (DECSS) had received federal certification.

In June 2010, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) Division of Child Support Services began designing and implementing a new system to replace its 30-year-old system.

"We are grateful to the members of the General Assembly and the Office of Management and Budget who continued to provide funding for the new Delaware Child Support System when the economy was challenged," DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf said. "This efficient and effective improvement for our clients would not have been possible without their support and forward thinking."

"A lot of dedicated state employees at the Division of Child Support Services spent a tremendous amount of time and energy to make the leading child support system in the country possible," said Division Director Ted Mermigos. "As we all work to improve customer service, we are grateful to those state employees and our state and federal partners who helped us move into the 21st century in terms of automation."

To be federally certified, the state's automated child support system must be comprehensive, operate statewide, and meet the standards of efficiency and effectiveness, and the principles of an integrated system as set forth by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement.

The Division of Child Support Services operates offices in each county at 84 Christiana Road in New Castle; at 655 Bay Road in Dover; and at 20105 Office Circle, Georgetown Professional Park in Georgetown. The division has an automated assistance line in each county and a customer website. To learn more, go to its website.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.