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July 30, 2021
For immediate release
August is Child Support Month in Michigan
2020 brought distinct challenges and opportunities for service delivery improvements
The Michigan Child Support Program strives to help families support each other both financially and emotionally. 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 2021 as Child Support Month in Michigan. Staff, partners and families are encouraged to wear green on August 16 to recognize the impact of Michigan’s Child Support Program.
Michigan’s Child Support 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 families of all income levels with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children, helps locate parents, establishes paternity, opens and manages child support cases and collects/disburses support payments.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic shifts in child support collections in 2020 as many payer’s income fluctuated due to job loss and economic instability. Overall collections increased, due to surges in temporary sources like unemployment and IRS intercepts from the first round of stimulus payments. Collections on current obligations from employment income decreased.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support (OCS) experienced significant increases in contact from customers during the pandemic. In addition, many county friend of the court and prosecuting attorney offices closed or had limited availability, which affected the establishment of new child support orders.
“2020 brought distinct challenges for Michigan’s Child Support Program to overcome in order to serve those who depend on us,” said Erin Frisch, OCS director. “In many ways, these challenges opened doors to new methods of service delivery for families and partners across the state, which will enhance service for years to come. As Michigan families have faced crises brought about by the pandemic, our commitment to ensuring they have the resources they need has never wavered.”
“The 20th Circuit Court is proud of the extraordinary work done by our Friend of the Court employees throughout the pandemic.” says Chief Judge Jon Van Allsburg. “To ensure families were properly served, the office expanded remote work options, fully participated in virtual court hearings, and worked with clients to remove barriers caused by the public health crisis.”
Improved service delivery methods include virtual hearings and meetings, implementing e-signature for necessary documents, greater use of two-way communication through the MiChildSupport portal and the implementation of live chat on the MiSDU website. Also, in Ottawa County, the Friend of the Court office implemented an Online Dispute Resolution platform, designed by Court Innovations, to assist parties in resolving parenting time complaints and other domestic relations issues.
Additional information about Michigan’s Child Support Program is available in the accompanying fact sheet, also located at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdhhs/Child_Support_Fact_Sheet_505037_7.pdf.
The Michigan Child Support Program is a partnership of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support, friend of the court offices, prosecuting attorney offices, the State Court Administrative Office, employers, hospitals and other community agencies. Child support information for parents, employers, hospitals and schools can be found at Michigan.gov/childsupport.
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