Research-Based Assessments: Improving Services for Families with Low Incomes in Three State Child Support Programs

• In Event: Enforcement and Beyond: Child Support Policy and Families with Limited Incomes

Abstract

The child support program, funded by the Title IV-D of the 1975 Social Security Act, has a half-century history serving families with low incomes. While the IV-D child support program has proven success in increasing child support payments for children with parents who have stable income and employment, it has consistently faced challenges serving families where both parents have low incomes. To explore how state child support programs can better prioritize the wellbeing of families with low incomes, we conducted three research-informed assessments of programs in California, Michigan, and Minnesota, using an assessment resource guide developed concurrently with the assessments.

Each assessment focused on a distinct theme. California and Michigan explored strategies to better engage families receiving public assistance in child support services. Michigan examined how the program's cost recovery approach affects families on public assistance and how to mitigate its impact. California focused on communication and engagement with families within their child support program. Minnesota assessed the impact and implications of child support enforcement on the reentry of previously incarcerated parents with child support obligations.  

Despite the varying topical areas and state policy contexts, all three assessments followed a shared program assessment process. The iterative process comprised five main activities: establishing the foundation (forming assessment teams, defining topics and approaches), engaging communities and stakeholders, leveraging qualitative and quantitative data, identifying areas for enhancing family-centeredness in the program, and planning for change (policies, procedures, data infrastructure, or further assessments). The assessments identified areas for improvement based on five principles: Transparent policies and procedures, family-centered approaches, structured or guided decision-making processes, responsibility and burden proportional to resources, and recognition of heterogeneity in individual circumstances. All three assessments employed research-informed data collection and analysis approaches, including analysis of policy and practice documentation and analysis of qualitative data from parents and program administrators.

This presentation will summarize findings from focus groups with parents and interviews with program administrators across the three state programs. It will also discuss the background and context of each state assessment, the conceptual model for assessment, the role of policy analysis and stakeholder engagement in shaping data collection focuses and approaches. Finally, the presentation will discuss the implications of findings for each state program, lessons learned from the implementation of the assessments, and their implications for state child support programs nationwide.

Authors

• Yiyu Chen, Independent
  Non-Presenting Co-Author

• Shaneen D Moore, MN Department of Children, Youth and Families
  Presenting Author

• Becki Vivrette, Child Trends, Inc
  Non-Presenting Co-Author

• Elizabeth Villegas, Child Trends, Inc
  Non-Presenting Co-Author

• Chrishana M. Lloyd, Child Trends, Inc
  Non-Presenting Co-Author