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Project Description

In passing CSPIA, Congress mandated a study of the economic and demographic characteristics of states and how they affect performance, calling on the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to recommend adjustments to ensure that the relative performance of the states is measured from a baseline that takes account of such variables. This study provides the underlying data for the Secretary’s report. Specifically, the study seeks to answer two questions: 1. What economic, demographic, and programmatic factors are associated with the performance of state child support enforcement programs? 2. If empirical work identifies factors that affect performance and are outside the control of child support agencies, how could DHHS amend the incentive system to account for the factors with the goal of improving the system’s equity?

Project duration: Apr 2000 - Oct 2002

Sites studied include Nationwide

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

CPS/CSS 1998, national sample

Recent Findings in Brief

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