The relationship between state efforts and child support performance

Using 1999–2004 state panel data, this paper documented the changes in state child support performance since the enactment of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 (CSPIA) and investigated the effects of state child support enforcement on child support performance. Results indicated that states have improved substantially on the performance measures specified under CSPIA. Regression estimates provided evidence that state child support enforcement played a major role in improving child support performance. The results also revealed the complexity of the child support enforcement system and suggest that states need to have strict child support legislation, a high number of full-time staff, and effective implementation of the child support enforcement system in order to improve overall child support performance.