For the third consecutive year, Pennsylvania has been recognized as a national leader for its child support enforcement efforts and specifically as the first state to meet and exceed all federal performance standards, according to Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman.

“Our focus has never been stronger as we work to ensure that Pennsylvania parents fulfill their obligations to provide for their children,” said Secretary Richman. “We are pleased to have achieved such success in our program, on behalf of every child receiving support that helps them live a healthier, safer life.”

Pennsylvania is the first state in the nation to meet and exceed the five federal performance standards for establishment of paternity, establishment of court orders for child support, collection of current support, cases paying on arrears and administrative cost effectiveness. In addition, more than 85 percent of children receiving support currently have health insurance or other means of medical support.

During 2009, Pennsylvania has increased the number of parents paying at least 80 percent of annual child support from 64,387 to 130,732 while decreasing the number of parents paying no support over the course of a year from 63,532 to 24,116.

Richman said this recognition is evidence that Pennsylvania’s efforts are working and helping children live happier, healthier lives.

Pennsylvania also received accolades from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child Support Enforcement for Federal Fiscal Year 2008, the latest year available for evaluation figures.

According to the evaluation, Pennsylvania leads the nation for the third straight year in the percentage of current support collected, as well as the percentage of cases paying on arrears.

Pennsylvania exceeded federal benchmarks through:

• Paternity establishment -- finalizing support orders for nearly 89 percent of parents, amounting to some $1.5 billion annually on behalf of almost 640,000 children;
• Establishment of court orders for support; and
• Overall program cost-effectiveness, collecting $6.71 for every dollar spent on administrative costs and exceeding the national average of $4.79; the federal benchmark for this measure is $5.

Court-ordered payments are processed electronically through the Statewide Collection and Disbursement Unit, reducing delays in payments to parents and resulting in a five-year estimated savings of nearly $50 million to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

The Department of Public Welfare’s Bureau of Child Support Enforcement oversees the delivery of federal and state child support services locally through the domestic relations sections of the county courts of common pleas. The combined state and county child support program has been in the national forefront for more than 15 years.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s child support enforcement efforts, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.