On September 26, 2023, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) launched a new public service campaign aimed at promoting the modernized Child Support Services Program and its valuable services for families with children. The campaign, which succeeds last year's STEPUp! initiative, focuses on providing financial and medical support to children in New Mexico.
"The new campaign succeeds last year’s STEPUp! initiative, which focused on aiding non-custodial parents in fulfilling their child support obligations through employment opportunities," announced the New Mexico Human Services Department.
The campaign, accessible in English, Spanish, and Diné (for radio), will be aired on television and radio stations throughout New Mexico. It is a partnership with the New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) and is scheduled to run until August of the following year. The Child Support Services Program aims to ensure that financial and medical support is accessible to the children of New Mexico by establishing parentage, creating and adjusting support court orders, and enforcing these orders. The campaign aims to spread awareness about the updated Child Support Services Program.
"Our recent name change to the Child Support Services Division was a concerted effort to inform the public of the services we provide, and that we are not just an enforcement agency," said Betina Gonzales McCracken, Child Support Services Division Director. "Recent studies have shown that the general public is unaware of what's available to them through child support programs nationwide, and how better to find out than directly from a satisfied customer, which is what this public service campaign does."
In support of its mission, the campaign features a genuine customer testimonial, highlighting the program's positive impact on custodial and non-custodial parents and emphasizing the importance of enhancing the child's welfare.
"Our mission is to transform lives. By sharing real stories, we hope to inspire more families to utilize the myriad services offered by the Child Support Services Division, thereby ensuring that their children grow up in a nurturing environment," said Kathy Slater-Huff, HSD Acting Deputy Secretary.
The New Mexico Child Support Services program's new public service campaign aims to assist parents and foster the well-being of children by raising awareness about the program's services and encouraging families to utilize the support available to them.