Child Support Awareness Month celebrates the significance of child support programs in strengthening families and helping children thrive with both parents’ financial, emotional, and medical support. The Federal Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) is celebrating 48 years of transforming the lives of millions of children across the United States. Child support is not just about financial assistance; it is pivotal in fostering strong and thriving families. Child support is an essential tool in addressing child poverty. When child support payments are consistent and sufficient, they can help children grow up in a stable environment by helping to cover the costs of food, clothing, education, and healthcare.
In Fiscal Year 2022, child support programs nationwide collected almost $31 billion in 12.3 million cases for 12.8 million children. According to OCSS, the child support program collects $4.73 for every $1 in public funds invested.
The child support program ensures that children in single-parent households receive a reliable source of private financial and medical support. The program increases family self-sufficiency, reduces child poverty, and encourages both parents to be involved and committed to their children. Only the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid reach more children.
Child Support is More Than Financial Support
While collecting financial support for the child from the parent who owes child support is its core mission, the program does much more, including:
- Establishing parentage
- Establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support and medical support orders
- Collaborating with other agencies that address related issues such as domestic violence, parenting plans, and employment.
As we observe Child Support Awareness Month, our consulting firm recognizes the child support program’s profound impact on families and communities. Our extensive knowledge of various facets of the child support program allows us to uniquely assist child support agencies to serve children and families better. Our child support subject matter experts can help states and agencies design and implement more efficient case processing, develop equity-based policies and procedures, and provide training on core program functions and specialized areas such as intergovernmental cases. We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with you.