The Non-Custodial Parent as Customer: Patterns of Receipt, Contact, and NonCash Assistance

1. The Non-Custodial Parent as Customer: Patterns of Receipt, Contact, and NonCash Assistance Presented by: Sarah Douglas (ASPE) September 11th, 2006 16th National CSE Training Conference

2. Research Questions How involved are non-custodial parents in IV-D families? Is the level of involvement by the non-custodial parent related to child support receipt?

3. Data Strengths and Limitations Survey data collected by Census. Emphasis on demographic and income data. Limited to families where one biological parent in the home. Indirect allocation of IVD status. No state level data. Co-sponsored by Census and OCSE

4. Characteristics of IV-D Families Caseload primarily low-income. Medicaid is now the major �welfare� component. ~50% white and ~25% black. � live in the same state. Most custodial parents never married or are divorced. Just under half (47%) have an agreement and are receiving child support. Around � have an agreement but did not receive CS. Many, but not all, families without an agreement do not receive CS.

5. Receipt of Child Support 49% of IV-D Families Received Child Support. Of those Receiving Child Support, $3,736 was the Average Amount. Median Amount was $2,640.

6. IV-D Families with a Child Under 18 Reporting on the Amount of Contact with the NCP CP asked whether or not the child spent at least one day with the NCP during the year. 64% indicated at least one day of contact. 27% reported 1-29 days w/ child �Low�. 20% reported 30-99 days w/ child �Moderate�. 17% reported 100 or more days w/ child �High�. Average number of days spent with child is 71.

7. Percent of NCPs in Contact with Childby Background Characteristics

8. Percent of NCPs in Contact with Child, by Race

9. Percent of NCPs in Contact with Child by Child Support Variables

10. Contact and Child Support Receipt Families in contact were more likely to receive child support than those not in contact. Child support receipt was highest for those in moderate contact. (60%) Low contact and high contact had similar rates; only slightly lower than moderate. (57% and 56%, respectively) No contact = dramatic drop. Only 35% received any child support.

11. Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Assistance

12. Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Assistance by Background Characteristics and Types of Assistance

13. Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Support, by Race

14. Percent of NCPs Providing Non-Cash Assistance by Child Support Variables and Differing Types of Assistance

15. Non-Cash Assistance and Child Support Receipt Families receiving non-cash support were more likely to receive child support. NCPs providing 1 or 2 types of non-cash assistance were most likely to provide CS. (61%, 63%) Families receiving 3 or more types had much lower rates. (54%) The absence of non-cash support matters. Only 39% received any child support.

16. Summary 17% of NCPs were highly involved with 64% in contact for at least one day. 54% of NCPs provided non-cash assistance. 1/3 of those with visitation provided 3 or more types of non-child support assistance. Child support receipt, contact and non-cash assistance appear related. Although the direction and precise nature of the relationship is not yet known.

17. Next Steps Expand research analysis to look at the independent effect involvement variables may have on child support receipt. Look at how family income levels may differ based on involvement characteristics. Create a measure of involvement that incorporates contact and noncash assistance, possibly receipt.

18. Contact Information Sarah Douglas E-mail: sarah.douglas@hhs.gov Phone: 202-401-3953