State Initiatives to Support Low-Income Noncustodial Parents: Results from a Survey of State Child Support Directors

Oct 2026 | Jacqueline Whearty, Ph.D., Jessica Pearson, Ph.D., and Destinee Starcher, Ph.D.

Based on a survey of child support directors in 32 states, this report, authored by the Center for Policy Research, highlights child support policies that support low-income noncustodial parents in key areas such as paternity, order establishment, enforcement, and parenting time. Highlights include:

  • 61% of states run employment programs for noncustodial parents, most funded by a single source; 55% include a fatherhood component.
  • 83% offer child support debt compromise, and 20% of those require fatherhood program participation to qualify.
  • Only 17% automatically adjust child support orders when a parent is incarcerated.

The findings show where fatherhood programs already fit into state child support work — as partners in employment services and debt compromise programs — and offer state-by-state context for conversations with child support agencies and policymakers. Download the report to learn more. 
 

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