Sonoma County recognized as state leader in child support services

The Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services has again been recognized by the State of California for outstanding performance, earning top honors for helping parents reach agreements that improve the financial stability and well-being of their children. 

No other county of any size in California achieves a higher rate of stipulated orders, a type of agreement between parents that establishes child support obligations without pitting parents against each other in potentially lengthy and adversarial court proceedings. 

Last year, 58 percent of the cases handled by the Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services ended with stipulated orders, more than double the statewide average of 23 percent. It continued a decade-long trend in Sonoma County where a majority of cases handled by the department since 2014 have ended with stipulated orders. 

“Our County’s commitment to putting families first is making a real difference,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “We’re helping parents find common ground and are giving children the stability they deserve. These are quiet but powerful successes that shape lives for the better.” 

Among 14 mid-sized counties, Sonoma County achieved the second-highest ranking in another key benchmark used by the state and federal government to measure performance. Nearly 95 percent of the child support cases opened in Sonoma County end with a court order or stipulated agreement establishing child support, compared to 87 percent statewide.  

In recognition of the department’s service, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 will consider a Gold Resolution proclaiming August as Child Support Awareness Month. Throughout the month, the department is hosting outreach events, sharing educational resources and celebrating the efforts of parents, caregivers and employers who contribute to the well-being of children. 

More than half of all children in Sonoma County will live apart from one parent by age 18. The Department of Child Support Services acts as a neutral third party to help parents establish paternity, locate noncustodial parents, set up and enforce child support orders, and make sure that children receive medical and financial support. In 2024, the department managed over 9,000 cases and distributed more than $30 million to support 13,100 children across the county.

Unlike private collection agencies or legal firms, the department offers its services at no cost and focuses on cooperation over confrontation. By emphasizing stipulated orders, the department helps parents find common ground and strike a balance between their differing visions of their child’s wants and needs. Parents are more likely to pay child support when the amount is reached through a stipulated order instead of an adversarial court proceeding. 

“These results reflect the deep commitment of our staff to helping families navigate a complex and emotional process with empathy and professionalism,” said Gigi Mertle, interim director of the Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services. “We meet parents where they are, with a family-centered approach, helping them work together to build a better future for their kids.”  

To learn more about the Department of Child Support Services or to open a case, visit sonomacounty.gov/child-support-services or call (866) 901-3212. 

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Media Contact: 
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov 
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A 
Santa Rosa, CA 95403