What the Child Support Rule Change Means for Fathers and the Work of Fathers Incorporated

by Kenneth Braswell, CEO, Fathers Incorporated

On January 13, 2025, a new rule will take effect, transforming how child support agencies nationwide address the needs of noncustodial parents. The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) has made a groundbreaking decision to allow Federal Financial Participation (FFP) under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act to fund employment and training services for noncustodial parents. This shift represents an innovative approach to solving long-standing challenges in child support compliance, focusing on empowering noncustodial parents through employment opportunities and supportive services.

For Fathers Incorporated, this is a pivotal moment. The new rule aligns closely with our mission of building stronger families by supporting fathers in becoming stable, involved parents. It also presents a unique opportunity to reframe child support not just as a financial obligation but as a pathway to strengthening father-child relationships and promoting family well-being.

Highlights of the Rule Change

The new rule authorizes state and tribal child support agencies to use FFP to provide a range of employment and training services for eligible noncustodial parents. These services include:

1. Job Search Assistance: Support in building resumes, preparing for interviews, and finding job opportunities tailored to the individual’s skills and experience.
2. Job Readiness Training: Workshops focused on soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management to improve workplace success.
3. Job Development and Placement Services: Assistance in identifying suitable job openings and matching noncustodial parents with employers.
4. Occupational and Skills Training: Access to vocational training programs that align with local labor market demands, offering certifications to enhance employability.
5. Job Retention Services: Counseling and mentorship programs to help parents sustain employment and overcome workplace challenges.
6. Work Supports: Resources like transportation assistance, childcare, and other services to remove barriers to successful employment.

By providing these services, child support agencies aim to address the root causes of noncompliance, such as unemployment or underemployment, and foster a more sustainable model of child support payments based on the noncustodial parent’s ability to pay.

What This Means for Fathers

The rule change represents a paradigm shift for fathers navigating the child support system. Here’s what it means for them:

1. A Path to Financial Stability: Fathers now have access to employment services designed to help them secure and retain jobs, ensuring a steady income stream to support their families. This reduces the stress and stigma often associated with falling behind on child support payments.
2. A More Collaborative Approach: Focusing on supportive services rather than strict enforcement fosters a partnership between fathers and child support agencies. Fathers can engage with programs prioritizing their success and well-being rather than penalizing them for past challenges.
3. Strengthened Family Bonds: Stable employment not only facilitates consistent child support payments but also enables fathers to be more present and involved in their children’s lives. The rule change acknowledges that financial support is just one aspect of fatherhood and promotes a more holistic approach to parenting.

Implications for Fathers Incorporated

For Fathers Incorporated, this rule change reinforces the importance of our work in advocating for policies that support responsible fatherhood. It allows us to amplify our efforts in three critical areas:

1. Reducing Barriers for Fathers: Fathers often face systemic barriers that make it difficult to meet child support obligations. These include limited access to stable employment, legal challenges, and a lack of supportive services. The new rule enables us to collaborate with child support agencies to address these barriers holistically, ensuring that fathers have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
2. Promoting Workforce Development: Employment is a cornerstone of financial stability. By leveraging the new funding for training and workforce development, we can expand initiatives like Poppa University and the A.S.C.E.N.D. Program to offer specialized resources that prepare fathers for meaningful employment.
3. Fostering Trust and Engagement: Historically, many fathers view child support agencies with apprehension, perceiving them as punitive rather than supportive. Implementing employment-focused services offers an opportunity to rebuild trust by shifting the narrative from enforcement to empowerment.

Recommendations for Implementation

While the new rule is a step in the right direction, its success will depend on effective implementation. Fathers Incorporated recommends the following:

1. Clear Guidelines: States and tribes need well-defined protocols for delivering employment services. This includes outlining eligibility criteria, service offerings, and pathways for fathers to access these resources.
2. Partnerships with Workforce Development Organizations: Collaboration with local workforce boards and community organizations is essential to providing tailored, effective services.
3. Outcome Measurement: Establishing metrics to evaluate program success is critical. Metrics should include employment rates, child support payment regularity, and reductions in arrears.
4. Addressing Apprehension: Child support agencies must acknowledge and address fathers’ apprehension. This includes transparent communication about rights and services and creating a non-punitive, supportive environment.
5. Sustainability: Programs must be designed with sustainability in mind, ensuring that services remain available and impactful over the long term.

The Road Ahead

As we prepare for the implementation of this new rule, Fathers Incorporated remains committed to supporting fathers and their families. We view this rule change not just as a policy update but as a transformative opportunity to reimagine the role of child support in family dynamics.

By addressing the systemic challenges faced by noncustodial parents and investing in their success, this rule has the potential to create a ripple effect that benefits children, families, and communities. Fathers Incorporated will continue to advocate for policies and programs that empower fathers, promote healthy family relationships, and build a brighter future for the next generation.

This is a defining moment for the child support program—and for fathers across the nation. Together, we can build stronger families, one father at a time.