BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- As the Kern County Department of Child Support Services focuses on collecting every dollar it can for families; the department wants the public to know some facts about the children living in Kern County.

Nearly 256,241 children live in Kern County
• 63,718 children live at or below poverty
• 53% of families raising children in poverty were single parent families
• 97,685 children in Kern County participate in the School Lunch Program
• 2119 children are in foster care in Kern County as of July 1, 2009
• 11,000 children in Kern County do not have health insurance
• 10,915 children in Kern County are being raised by their grandparents

To assist in addressing these local community concerns, Kern County Department of Child Support Services has:
• Collected and distributed over $67 million dollars in child support payments to families representing approximately 70,000 children
• Recouped approximately $801,985 to offset local welfare expenditures
• Established child & medical support orders in 45,582 open child support cases
• Established paternity for 44,253 children

Evidence suggests that kids who receive support from both parents get better grades in school and have fewer behavioral problems. Child support helps families remain self sufficient, relying less on public assistance in the form of cash payments, food stamps, and medical. Child Support allows Children a Chance for a Brighter Future.

The Kern County Board of Supervisors will present a proclamation declaring August as Child Support Awareness Month to Phyllis Nance, Director of the Kern County Department of Child Support Services.