The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced a total of more than $80,000 in funding awards to Onondaga and Oswego counties to help noncustodial parents find jobs and advance in the workforce. The funding was announced as part of Governor Cuomo’s “Capital for a Day” in Central New York on Wednesday.

The funding will be used to develop noncustodial parent employment programs, with the goal of providing financial stability to children and families by promoting timely and consistent child support payments.  Eligible noncustodial parents will be referred from the courts and will receive services that help them obtain and maintain steady employment.

“Custodial parents rely on child support payments to meet the basic needs of their children, such as food, clothing and other necessities,” said OTDA Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “These programs are designed to connect noncustodial parents to services which will help them overcome barriers to steady employment. That, in turn, will provide greater financial stability to their children and create better opportunities for their children in the future.”

Onondaga County was awarded $38,245 and Oswego County was awarded $43,690. Each county will provide matching funds of $5,177 in Onondaga, and $6,870 in Oswego, enabling the counties to serve nearly 200 noncustodial parents combined.

OTDA, which oversees child support enforcement activities in New York State, also awarded funding to six other counties around the state which will serve an additional 600 noncustodial parents.

Services provided through the noncustodial parent employment programs include employment assessments, career counseling, education and training, job search, placement or retention services, and assistance with a participant’s child support case.

Visit the New York State Division of Child Support Enforcement’s website at childsupport.ny.gov to find out more about the services available to support families.