LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has declared October Child Support Month in Michigan. This is the 20th consecutive year that the state has commemorated a program that improves the lives of children and their parents by ordering, enforcing and disbursing some $1.38 billion each year.

"Michigan families and their children live better because of progressive program enhancements and the commitment of Department of Human Services staff and its partners who impact the lives of children every day," said Marianne Udow, director of the Department of Human Services. "Putting children first is the guiding principle for the Department's Office of Child Support and its partners."

The Office of Child Support works with county Friend of the Court and prosecutors to enforce child support orders, locate parents, collect and disburse payments. More than 584,000 children were owed support in fiscal year 2005, and approximately 435,000 received support, said Marilyn Stephen, director of the Department of Human Services Office of Child Support.

"Those statistics are terrific, but we realize that a child and custodial parent who don't receive their support don't care about the numbers, they need our help," Stephen said. "That is our top priority."

In 2006, the Office of Child Support implemented several program upgrades to enhance its services to families. An online lookup allows custodial and non-custodial parents who haven't kept their address up to date to find unclaimed funds. By the end of January 2007 all counties will be disbursing child support via electronic deposit to the custodial parent's bank account or to an electronic debit card. Hospitals can find assistance online in meeting the legal requirements in establishing paternity after the birth of a child.

"These programs help us get the money to families much more quickly," Stephen said. "More children rely on the child support program than any other state program, with the exception of the public school system."