On Aug. 12, the National Child Support Enforcement Association recognized Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbott’s child support program as one of the best of its kind in the U.S. Abbott’s Child Support Division was given the NCSEA award at a training conference in Portland, Oregon.

Abbott thanked the program’s dedicated employees, emphasizing that their hard work ensures that parents are being held financially responsible for their children. The Texas Child Support Division reportedly ranks first in the following: total number of collections, collections per full-time employee and cost effectiveness of a program. Texas’ collections have steadily increased for about seven years, according to reports.

Research statistics suggested that Texas took in about $1.35 million in collections per employee in contrast to the national average of $560,000 per worker. The state also gathered about $11.61 for each dollar spent and was said to have greatly exceeded the national average of $5.47.

The Texas collection growth is significant, reports indicate, considering most states have experienced a collection decline since 2008. 2013 performance data showed that the state has brought in over $31 billion under Abbott’s watch since 2002. The total increased by $226 million from 2012 to 2013, reportedly totaling more than 72 percent of the nation’s child support payment increase.

Child support can assist with the financial burdens of raising a child including education, medical care and basic needs such as food and clothing. Individuals in Texas still struggling with issues related to child support enforcement may wish to obtain the advice of a family law attorney. He or she may assist their client throughout the process and clarify any confusing information.

Source: KGNS, “Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division lauded as best in the nation”, Matt McGovern, August 12, 2014

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