DEPARTMENT: Employment and Economic Assistance
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Child Support Program Update
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on the Child Support program.
SUMMARY
Congress established the child support program in 1975 under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The program works with parents/caregivers to establish parentage and establish, modify, and enforce court orders for support for families that are referred through public assistance programs or apply for services. The program started as a public assistance cost recovery program, but today only 5 percent of Dakota County’s caseload is comprised of families receiving cash public assistance and 94 percent formerly received or have never received cash assistance. Dakota County’s child support caseload is the third largest in Minnesota and in 2023 collected $38,056,049 for 10,724 families for the care of their children.
The child support program has undergone significant changes over the past 48 years to adapt to the evolving needs of families. The program, in Minnesota and the United States as a whole, is facing challenges that impact its effectiveness and ability to serve families. The program evolution, from its initial focus on cost recovery, has included a more family-centered approach, recognizing, and supporting diverse family structures.
Staff will provide an update focused on:
• Collections and caseload trends
• Program trends and challenges
• Program priorities
OUTCOMES
See Attachment: Child Support Update Report, and see Attachment: 2023 Child Support Initiatives, for detailed information.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Child Support Update Report
Attachment: Child Support Initiatives
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Nadir Abdi
Author: Linda Bixby