The Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Child Support Program is expanding its community outreach through a new partnership with Goodwill Manasota.
CSP staff will be onsite quarterly at Goodwill Manasota’s Community Resource Center at 2705 51st Ave. E. in Bradenton to assist residents with child support questions and services.
The partnership is designed to meet customers where they are. CSP staff will be available to assist both new clients with child support questions and existing clients managing active cases – eliminating the need for a trip to the Clerk & Comptroller’s downtown office. Services will be offered quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month.
The next outreach opportunities at Goodwill are July 1 and Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“When families need child support services, the last thing they should have to worry about is how to get there,” said Angel Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County. “This partnership with Goodwill Manasota meets people where they are. We’ve seen this model work through our long-standing relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs, and we’re proud to expand it with a community partner that shares our commitment to the families of Manatee County.”
The Manatee Clerk’s Child Support Program establishes and administers court-ordered paternity and child support on behalf of families in Manatee County and customers residing in surrounding areas. CSP ensures that children receive the financial support from both parents required by Florida law.
This model of community-based outreach is not new for CSP. Since 2017, the program has maintained an ongoing partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, bringing child support services directly into the community and serving countless families for nearly a decade. The Goodwill Manasota partnership builds on that proven approach, extending CSP’s reach to a new location and a broader segment of the community.
“This is a natural extension of the work we do every day,” said Margie Genter, VP of Mission Services for Goodwill Manasota. “Our Community Resource Center services exist to help people overcome barriers and get to work. When a parent has stable employment, their children benefit and so does our entire community. We are grateful to the Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for making this connection possible.”
No appointment is necessary. For more information about the Manatee Clerk’s Child Support Program, visit ManateeClerk.com or call 941-749-1800.
About the Clerk’s Office
The Clerk of Circuit Court was established as a public trustee by the Florida Constitution in 1838 and serves as the Clerk of Courts, the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Auditor, Recorder, and Custodian of all County Funds.
In Manatee County, the Clerk’s office also administers a local child support enforcement program, violence protection advocacy program, Manatee Teen Court, and the preservation of historical resources through its historical resources department. Located at 1115 Manatee Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton, the Courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Visit ManateeClerk.com and sign up for the office’s electronic newsletter.
Goodwill’s mission transforms community donations into opportunities – providing resources, training, and support through strong collaboration with local partners to help individuals obtain employment and build skills. For more information or for a comprehensive listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.
Submitted by Jennifer Linzy
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County child support services now available at Goodwill
Reporting by Special to the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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