U.S. Virgin Islands — The Virgin Islands Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Paternity and Child Support Division (PCSD) is recognizing National Child Support Awareness Month throughout August, highlighting the critical role child support services play in helping children and families achieve greater financial stability and well-being.
The recognition is an annual observance led by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) to raise awareness of the child support program and the critical services available to children and families nationwide. OCSE is an office within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the DOJ PCSD provides these services, helping families establish paternity, establish and enforce child support and medical support orders, and collect and distribute child support payments. Throughout August, PCSD is sharing educational information, videos and insights through the DOJ’s social media platforms to help parents and the community better understand what child support is, how the process works, and the services available through the program.
The importance of these services is reflected in the program’s FY 2025 preliminary data. The Virgin Islands Child Support Program collected approximately $4 million in child support, serving approximately 3,000 children throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the funds collected, 98% was distributed directly to families, providing critical financial support to help cover necessities such as food, housing, education and health care.
“Ensuring that children receive the support they need requires a strong commitment from parents, families, and the agencies entrusted to serve them,” said Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea. “Child Support Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to highlight the work being done in the U.S. Virgin Islands to promote responsible parenting and strengthen the financial well-being of children. “We value our partnership with our federal partners and the important work of the Paternity and Child Support Division. We remain committed to ensuring that families know where to turn for the support and assistance they need.
“Child support is about much more than a payment. It is about helping ensure that children have the financial support they need to thrive,” said Paternity and Child Support Division Director Kathryn B. Jensen-DeLugo. “During Child Support Awareness Month, we want parents and families to understand that our office is here to help.The FY 2025 data also demonstrates the effectiveness of the program’s collection efforts, with 63% of child support collected through income withholding from employees’ paychecks, while the remaining 37% was collected through other sources.”
The PCSD provides a range of services designed to help establish and enforce financial and medical support obligations and strengthen the financial connection between parents and their children. Services include:
- Parent location;
- Paternity establishment;
- Establishment of child support orders;
- Review and modification of child support orders;
- Collection of child support payments;
- Distribution of child support payments; and
- Establishment and enforcement of medical child support and health insurance coverage.
The program is available to custodial parents, including mothers and fathers, as well as other adults who have custody of a minor child and need assistance with establishing or enforcing child support, establishing paternity, or obtaining medical support. In the Virgin Islands, a non-custodial father may also apply for services if he is not contesting paternity.
“Child Support Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind our community that these services are available and that parents do not have to navigate the process alone,” Jensen-DeLugo said. “We encourage anyone who has questions or needs assistance to contact our offices on St. Thomas or St. Croix. Our dedicated team is here to provide information and help families access the services available to them thanks to the OCSE, our federal partner”.
OCSE works to enhance the well-being of children and families by encouraging responsible parenting, ensuring financial and medical support, and promoting self-sufficiency. As part of the national child support program, OCSE works with states and territories, like USVI to strengthen child support services and improve outcomes for children and families.
Members of the public are encouraged to follow the DOJ on its website and social media platforms for additional information, updates, and resources.
Website: usvidoj.com
Facebook: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
YouTube: @VIDeptofJusticeOffice
For assistance or more information, contact the PCSD at:
St. Thomas: (340) 775-3070
St. Croix: (340) 778-5958
Email: childsupport@vi.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2026
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov