Washington, DC - Attorney General Robert Spagnoletti is asking members of the House Ways and Means Committee to leave federal funding in place for child support. Chairman William Thomas (R-CA) and members of the Committee are considering a measure that would reduce federal funding from 66% to 50% by the year 2010. "Such a drastic increase would mean a significant reduction in child support services offered to the District's children," said Mr. Spagnoletti. "The bill under now under consideration by members of Congress would restrict incentive funds, creating unsustainable costs to the District."
FACTS:
Reducing federal funding for child support enforcement would actually increase the costs of TANF, Medicaid, and related programs.
Regular and consistent child support enables low-income families to become and remain self-sufficient. The OAG Child Support Services Division (CSSD) provides critical support to more than 86,000 children-many of whom have transitioned off welfare or avoided welfare altogether due to this valuable program. A reduction in federal funding would increase Medicaid costs: medical support orders that enable children to be covered by a non-custodial parent's private health insurance significantly reduces Medicaid cost by as much as $140 per month per child.
Child support enforcement programs provide more than money.
Non-custodial parents who regularly pay child support are more likely to stay actively and responsibly involved. Children raised by two parents, whether or not the parents live together, are less like to drop out of school, become teen parents, engage in drug or alcohol abuse, or become involved in the juvenile justice system.