August is Child Support Month in Michigan

by | Aug 4, 2022 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 4, 2022

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

August is Child Support Month in Michigan
For every dollar spent on child support program,
$6.19 is collected to support children

LANSING, Mich. – In recognition of tireless efforts of child support workers, employers, state and county departments, hospitals and community partners to support Michigan children and families, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared August 2022 as Child Support Month in Michigan.

The Michigan Child Support Program strives to help families support each other both financially and emotionally.

The Michigan Child Support Program is a partnership of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Office of Child Support, Friend of the Court offices, prosecuting attorney offices, the State Court Administrative Office, employers, hospitals and other community agencies.

“The work of our partners in the Michigan Child Support Program has never mattered more than now,” said Erin Frisch, director of the Michigan Office of Child Support. “As many Michigan families continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic through economic instability and inflation, child support can make the difference in paying for groceries, clothing and health care.”

The program provides professional, non-judgmental services to help mothers, fathers, grandparents or guardians get the financial resources they need for their children. It also provides parents of all income levels with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children, helps locate parents, establishes paternity, and opens and manages child support cases and collects and disburses support payments.

Every dollar spent on the program collects $6.19 to provide support to Michigan children. 

Highlights for 2021 include:

  • The Learn, Earn and Provide program (LEAP) was expanded to five counties and served 117 child support payers with career training and mentoring.
  • The Community Advisory Council marked its first full year of meetings.
  • County and state child support offices in Michigan provided services for more than 828,000 children and their families.
  • More than $1.23 billion was collected and distributed to Michigan families.
  • Families who receive cash assistance and child support received $2.65 million directly instead of these funds reimbursing state and federal program costs. Governor Whitmer created this “pass through” allowing families to receive the additional funds beginning with the signing of the fiscal year 2020 state budget.

Additional information about Michigan’s Child Support Program is available in the this child support fact sheet. Child support information for parents, employers and hospitals can also be found at Michigan.gov/ChildSupport.