Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 Governor Scott McCallum Secretary Jennifer Alexander

News Media Contact Rachel Langenohl 608/266-8710 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784

Contact: Rachel Langenohl (608)266-8710
Radio Actuality Available at (866)556-7623

WISCONSIN RANKS HIGH FOR CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTION
Federal data shows Wisconsin consistently ranks in the top ten states for collections

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development Secretary Jennifer Alexander announced today Wisconsin consistently ranks among the top ten states for its collection of child support based on several measurements by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) of federal fiscal year 2001 data.

Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for its collection of child support per full-time employee, collecting approximately $553,000 compared to a national average of $313,000.

"Wisconsin has a tradition of outpacing the national average when it comes to the collection of child support. It is because of the hard work at the state and county levels that we are able to tout our high ranking year after year. This translates into more money for families in need," said Secretary Alexander.

Wisconsin ranked in the top 10 for child support collection in four additional areas according to the report released by the OCSE. They include:

• Wisconsin ranked seventh for its cost effectiveness (dollars collected versus dollars spent) collecting $6.06 for every dollar spent compared to a national average of $4.18.
• Wisconsin ranked sixth for the percentage of cases with child support orders that had a collection reaching 83%, compared to a national average of 68%.
• Wisconsin ranked ninth for its collections per case at $1,672, compared to a national average of $1,111.
• Wisconsin ranked ninth for its total collections of $583,722,323 compared to a national average of $351,066,613.

"These rankings are especially encouraging when you consider at least 17 other states have a higher population and 14 states have a higher child support caseload than Wisconsin, which increases the potential to collect," said Secretary Alexander.

A relatively new child support enforcement tool called the lien docket has had a significant impact on collections in Wisconsin as it has resulted in more than $4 million being collected in just the last two years. The lien docket allows the department to place liens on homes and vehicles owned by parents who owe back child support.

In addition, approximately 75% of child support collections are the result of income withholding by employers. Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to implement income withholding as a child support collection method in 1987.

The FY2000 Data Report can be seen on the OCSE website at – http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/pubs/2002/reports/datapreview/#tables

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