Franklin County highlights child‑support program’s shift to family‑centered services, cites $137M collected locally

Assistant Director Bill Pel of the Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency told the Board of Commissioners on July 29 that the county program has moved from recovering public‑assistance costs toward ‘‘a family first program’’ focused on child well‑being and stable income.

Pel said Franklin County ‘‘has served over 74,000’’ children through its child support caseload and that the agency’s 232 staff ‘‘collected almost $137 million for families,’’ money he said paid rent, groceries and medical needs. He noted that 72% of collections come through income withholding, which he described as providing ‘‘steady, dependable income for families.’’

Pel outlined non‑collection services the agency now offers, including a youth economic mobility grant and peer‑to‑peer programs, fatherhood coordination and workforce services that help noncustodial parents find and retain employment. He also described a safe‑access program for victims of domestic violence and an in‑house mediation program that can produce agreements on parenting time and support without court fees.

Commissioners thanked Pel and the child‑support staff and recognized Director Brown (not present) for long service. Commissioner remarks emphasized the program’s family‑centered approach and the degree to which these services can reduce reliance on public assistance.

What’s next: the commissioners publicly recognized Child Support Awareness Month in August and invited the agency to continue outreach; no formal board action was required beyond the recognition.