We need child support because ...

• More children rely on the child support program than any other State program, with the exception of the public school system
• The Michigan child support program distributed over $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2008
• Approximately half of all children spend time in a single-parent home
• Children supported by both parents are less likely to become teen parents and less likely to drop out of school, to engage in alcohol or substance abuse or to become involved in the criminal justice system
• Millions of American children live in poverty, and most of these children are living in single-parent households

Child support benefits children because ...

• Non custodial parents who pay child support are more likely to remain involved in their child's life
• Payment of child support decreases conflict between parents

Child support benefits the State because ...

• States become surrogate guardians for children with problems; families who receive child support have fewer problems and less need for State funded programs.
• Immediate savings are realized as families become less reliant on public assistance (TANF, food stamps and Medicaid)
• In fiscal year 2008 Michigan child support program collected over $40 million for TANF families, over $482 million for former TANF families and over $311 million for families on Medicaid.
• The program is very cost effective. In fiscal year 2008 for every dollar spent, the program collected $5.85 for families.