Child support call center in Halstead to shut down, 30 jobs lost

A call center in Halstead will close March 6, resulting in 30 layoffs, according to the Kansas City, Mo.-based call center company, USA800.

The center is housed in the former Hertzler Clinic, adjacent to the former Halstead Hospital.

Call center staff has provided support for the Kansas Department for Children and Families’ Child Support Services since 2008, but the contract was not renewed.

A KDCF spokeswoman said Thursday the department will move that service to another call center company, Maximus, based in Reston, Va., for three to six months, while it readies a “request for proposal” for a long-term contract.

The spokesman said the department expects the transition to be unnoticed by callers. It will have the same toll-free number and hours of operation, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This story was originally published February 19, 2015 at 3:23 PM with the headline "Child support call center in Halstead to shut down, 30 jobs lost."