𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!

Every August, Child Support Awareness Month recognizes the professionals who work behind the scenes to strengthen families, promote parental responsibility, and improve the well-being of children. At Tlingit & Haida Tribal Child Support, our work is about far more than establishing orders or collecting payments; it is about creating opportunities for children to thrive and helping families build stronger futures.

Our Tribal Child Support Finance Team—Carlene Nore, Amanda Blackgoat, and Angel Brown—plays an essential role in ensuring child support payments are processed with accuracy, care, and efficiency. Their dedication spans decades, beginning with the program’s early days in 2007 and continuing with the same commitment to serving families today.

Every payment represents a family counting on support. Through teamwork, accountability, and attention to detail, the Finance Team works diligently to help payments reach families as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy. What truly makes this team special is their shared heart for service.

Case Specialist Nancia Shelton’s journey into child support reflects the dedication, compassion, and teamwork that define our program.

For Nancia, one of the greatest rewards comes from helping parents find stability beyond child support. Through the You Matter Program, non-custodial parents can access employment assistance, resume development, transportation support, and other resources that remove barriers to success. Seeing parents secure employment and become better able to support their children reminds her that child support is about strengthening families, not simply collecting payments.

“When families work together to provide for their children, I get to witness the positive impact that support can have. It helps keep my focus on the true purpose of our role in child support.”

Erica George is an Administrative Assistant II for the Tribal Child Support (TCS) team.

Her first day offered an immediate glimpse into the importance of child support work. Erica was invited to sit in on a child support hearing and remembers being nervous but present for the proceeding. As the paperwork became familiar, so did its purpose; each legal document represented a child, a family, and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Erica’s impact can also be felt throughout the office. Her cheerful disposition and positivity bring joy to the workplace, while her appreciation for teamwork has helped her grow in her own role. “I have learned a lot. Everyone has different insights, and now I know who to go to for whatever topic I need help with.”

That desire to learn and support families has also led Erica to become a certified Fatherhood/Motherhood Is Sacred® facilitator. Through this TCS outreach, she can encourage parents as they explore the importance of their roles, strengthen family relationships, and build upon the values and traditions that support healthy Tribal families. At the heart of it all Erica finds purpose, “We make sure that the children get the support that they need and the support their families need. We are here to help the children.”

The Tribal Child Support team has a willingness to support one another and their pride in their work and commitment to the families they serve reflects Tlingit & Haida’s mission of promoting self-sufficiency for our tribal citizens.