Tennessee Landmarks Lit Green for Child Support Awareness

NASHVILLE – If you’ve noticed green lights on landmarks across Tennessee this month, there’s a good reason why.

Green is the color Tennessee has chosen to recognize Child Support Awareness Month.   Every August the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) raises awareness of the services available through the Child Support program and the positive impact it can have on families and children in Tennessee.

Across the state the Tennessee Department of Human Services employees:

·         Work more than 368,000 child support cases.

·         Serve more than 534,000 children through child support collections.

·         Ensure all Tennesseans are served regardless of income.

Some landmarks will be lit most of the month in support of Child Support Awareness Month while others will show green during specific days.  August 9^th will be one of the most visible for the emerald color with the Metro Courthouse, Korean Veterans Bridge, AT&T Building and the Bi-Centennial fountains in Nashville lit green along with the Liberty Bowl in Memphis and the RJ Corman Bridge in Clarksville.

“The work of our Child Support program really does make a positive difference in the lives of children across the state of Tennessee,” said Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes.  “Child support is an important resource parents utilize to build thriving families and, ultimately, a thriving Tennessee.”

The Child Support Program offers a variety of services that support children and families. Services include locating a child’s parent(s) for the purpose of obtaining support or establishing paternity; establishment of paternity; establishment and enforcement of child support orders; establishment and enforcement of medical support; collection and distribution of child support payments; modification of child support orders; and enforcement of spousal support orders, if child support is involved. 

The Child Support Program also supports the Department’s Two Generational approach to service by helping parents find the employment and job training they need to meet their child support obligations.   Later this year TDHS plans to launch a website in support of its Fatherhood Initiative to further emphasize the importance of fathers in the lives of children and provide local resources to help them.

Citizens are encouraged to contact their local child support office if they are in need of these services.

For more information on the Tennessee Child Support Program, visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services.html.