HHS Proposes Rule to Promote Employment and Training Services to Help Parents Meet their Child Support Obligations

When parents contribute fully to their child’s economic security and wellbeing, children thrive. Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced a proposed rule to give state child support programs the flexibility to use federal funding to provide employment and training services for eligible noncustodial parents. These services have been shown to improve earnings and the likelihood of collecting child support payments that directly improve the lives of children and families.

“Employment that is both stable and sustainable is foundational for parents who need to meet child support obligations,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This rule will help provide eligible parents with the tools and training they need to pursue job opportunities that enable reliable financial support for their children. We will continue to work on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration to invest and implement support services that help American families and improve their financial security.” 

Providing employment and training services to unemployed and underemployed parents who have child support obligations has proven to benefit children and their parents. These types of programs result in increased employment rates and earnings as well as the amount, number, and regularity of child support payments. At least 25 states already provide these employment and training services, but without ongoing federal support.

The proposed rule would allow state child support programs to use federal funding for services such as skills assessments, occupational training, and job placement.

“ACF is empowering parents in the child support program by supporting them as they fulfill their obligation to contribute to their children’s upbringing and well-being,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild. “By providing states with the flexibility to provide employment and training services for eligible parents, more children will benefit from having both parents involved in their development.”

“Many states work to increase parent participation in the workforce, improve compliance with child support orders, and provide families with a path to economic stability,” said Office of Child Support Services Commissioner Tanguler Gray. “This rule would support existing state efforts and make it easier for other child support programs to launch and sustain employment and training efforts, if they so choose.” 

The deadline to submit comments via Regulations.gov is July 30, 2024.

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