LANSING - The Michigan Child Support Program delivered impressive results for families and taxpayers in fiscal year 2005. Michigan child support workers collected and disbursed over $1.38 billion in child support for 434,967 Michigan children, and the program's cost effectiveness rating increased by 24 percent during the same period.

The program provided $1.27 billion to Michigan families, $24 million in medical support to children, and $90 million to reimburse federal and state governments for public assistance provided to families.

"This year every dollar invested in the child support program put $6.70 into the hands of families," said Marilyn Stephen, director of the DHS Office of Child Support (OCS). "This represents a 24 percent increase in cost effectiveness over fiscal year 2004. Like all public employees, child support professionals were asked to do more with less and they responded with excellence."

The program’s performance qualifies Michigan for federal incentive dollars in every category measured by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. In 2005 Michigan received $29 million, which was reinvested in Michigan’s program by sharing it among the state, friends of the court, and county prosecutors.

"These results are the outcome of Michigan’s unique partnership model of program leadership," said Stephen. "With our program partners at the county level, we will continue to work through any challenges in delivering services to families and address issues facing the program."

"We are very proud of the performance of the child support program in 2005," said Marianne Udow, director of the Department of Human Services, "and we certainly hope that Congress will step up and protect funding for this vital program, which is so critical to ensuring family stability and child well-being."