Child Support and Child Well-Being

Vast reforms of the child support system following passage of the Family Support Act of 1988 will affect one-half of the nation's children. Edited by the country's most noted experts on child support, this volume analyzes the possible effects that profound legislative changes will have on child support payments and child well-being. Draws on original research on child support reform to address the extent to which new child support enforcement laws are being implemented; to estimate the benefits and costs of different kinds of proposed guaranteed minimum child support benefits; and to examine the relationship between child support payments and child well-being, including educational attainment. Summarizes the history of the child support system and of the research literature to date, evaluates New York State's pilot Child Assistance Program, and provides concrete guidance to policymakers. Intended also for researchers, program staff, and students concerned with ways to alleviate child poverty.