BINGHAMTON, NY - New York State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has awarded the Broome County Child Support Staff with a Certificate of Achievement. The presentation was made last week at the annual Child Support Conference hosted by New York State at the Sagamore Hotel and Conference Center in Bolton Landing.

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Child Support, Margot Bean, presented the award to Broome County. It recognizes the county's child support enforcement efforts. New York State has identified Broome County as having the most improved program among mid-sized counties in New York State. Broome County has an 80% enforcement rate for court ordered child support.

"We are very proud of our Department of Social Service employees." Said Broome County Social Services Commissioner Arthur Johnson. "To be able to help so many mothers and fathers receive the support they desperately need for their children is reward enough but to receive state recognition is extremely heartening."

"I salute our child support enforcement efforts." Said Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala. "As county employees, it is our job to serve the community but when those efforts are singled out by the state we are extremely grateful that all of the hard work is being noticed."

Child Support Coordinator, James F. Cucci, attributes this success to the dedication of his staff. Through the efforts of Broome's Child Support program, over $17 million dollars in child support was collected in 2004 for just over 9,000 families.