Questions about Child Support

The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) within the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) provides information and resources on child support to help address questions that incarcerated parents and other parents have.

Resources

April 2019 Child Support Report (PDF, 10 pages)
This special edition of the Child Support Report provides resources and information about programs that help noncustodial parents who are or have been incarcerated. The report includes information on education and employment resources for parents, and programs for children. The report can be downloaded from the Administration for Children & Families Office of Child Support Enhancement website as a PDF (PDF, 10 pages).

Office of Child Support Enforcement 
The Office of Child Support Enhancement (OCSE) within the Administration for Children & Families partners with federal, state, tribal, and local governments and others to promote parental responsibility so that children receive support from both parents even when they live in separate households. This website provides a range of resources for families, state agencies, tribal agencies, researchers, employers, and other partners. Learn more about child support related to incarceration and reentry.

Final Rule: Flexibility, Efficiency, and Modernization in Child Support Enforcement Programs (PDF 2 pages)
The Flexibility, Efficiency, and Modernization in Child Support Enforcement Programs Final Rule addresses procedures that increase regular, on-time payments to all families. In addition, it supports program modernization, reduction of accumulated unpaid arrears, customer service, and management practices.

Access and Visitation Mandatory Grants
Each year, grant funding goes to states and territories to operate the Access and Visitation program, which helps increase noncustodial parents’ access to and time with their children. States are permitted to use grant funds to develop programs and provide services such as: mediation, development of parenting plans, education, counseling, monitored and supervised visitation, and neutral drop-off and pick-up.

» Learn more about Children of Incarcerated Parents at youth.gov/COIP.

» Join the Children of Incarcerated Parents listserv.