Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Earns Recognition as National Leader
By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-23 08:46:41 | Word Count: 523
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, Department of Public Welfare
[ advertisement ]
Secretary Estelle B. Richman said today.
"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.
