NMHCA News:

SANTA FE — A new statewide public awareness campaign encourages parents to support their children by paying child support, with television and radio ads launching this month.

The Health Care Authority’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is airing “Do the Loving Thing” ads in English and Spanish beginning this December for 12 months through the New Mexico Broadcasters Association’s Public Education Program.

Last year, the Child Support program collected $119 million in collections with 65 percent of payments coming through wage withholding from employed parents — the most consistent form of making monthly obligations.

“This year’s public service campaign starts and ends with love. It’s love that brings a child into the world, it’s love that supports a child, so we are asking parents to do the loving thing, and pay their child support today,” Betina Gonzales McCracken, CSSD director said.

Over the past six years, the child support program has undergone several modernization initiatives to better serve New Mexico’s families raising children together but in separate households. Those initiatives include right-sized court orders based on ability to pay, reducing retroactive arrears to three years, developing a self-support reserve in child support guidelines to ensure the paying parent can support themselves while paying child support, and assisting parents with job development and opportunities through the STEPUp! program.

Parents who would like to make a payment can do so online or those who need assistance are encouraged to contact the child support program to have their case reviewed. The HCA Customer Service Center is available 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday – Friday by calling 1.800.283.4465 or customers can visit the YES.NM.GOV portal.