Sept. 12, 2007

The Department of Human Services' Office of Child Support today reported in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2007 the Michigan Title IV-D child support program distributed over $1 billion. The total amount distributed was $1,078,608,104, an increase of almost $13 million above the same period in 2006. This included over $320 million in past due support.

An additional $27.4 million was distributed to families in other states with child support cases in the jurisdiction of a Michigan court.

"The child support program is a critical government program helping to keep children out of poverty," said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Department of Human Services. "The recognition of that critical role is never lost on child support professionals. Even though the number of workers went down in fiscal year 2006, the amount collected per worker increased by over $24,000 to a total of $573,356 collected per worker. In 2007 their distributed collections continue to increase."

In the first nine months of 2007, $974 million was paid to families in Michigan; $28 million was distributed to cover medical costs for children; and $76 million was collected to reimburse the federal and state governments for public assistance provided to families.

"Parents who pay child support are investing in their child's future," said Marilyn Stephen, director of the Office of Child Support. "The state helps invest in our future by ensuring child support is paid. The federal government's funding reduction of over $50 million per year for the Michigan child support program beginning in October 2007 is short sighted. The governor's budget recognizes the critical importance of funding this program to Michigan's children."

Michigan consistently ranks in the top ten states for total collections distributed, total cases with collections and total amount of past due support distributed.

For more information go to www.michigan.gov/childsupport