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Summary

The Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration (CSPED) aimed to improve employment outcomes and the reliable payment of child support among noncustodial parents.

The CSPED provided noncustodial parents with case management, employment services, enhanced child support services, parenting classes, and domestic violence services. Each participant was assigned a case manager to assess needs and monitor progress. Employment services included job search assistance; job-readiness training; and assistance with job placement, job retention, and rapid reemployment following job loss. Participating sites were also encouraged, though not required, to provide job skills training, vocational training, education related to employment, and supportive services. Enhanced child support services included expedited review of child support orders, order modifications, reductions in arrears owed to the state, and temporary suspension of the use of some enforcement tools. Domestic violence services included screening, assessments, and referrals. The program also provided 16 hours of parenting classes that covered personal development, responsible fatherhood, and relationship skills. Participants were noncustodial parents who were being served by the child support program and were either not regularly making child support payments or were expected to have difficulty with payments because of lack of employment. Most services were provided within a one-year period.

This program took place in 18 sites across eight states (California, Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin).

Populations and employment barriers: Noncustodial parents

Implementation at a glance

Program services
Case management, Employment Retention and Advancement Services, Job placement, Job readiness, Job search assistance, Legal assistance, On-the-job training, Peer mentoring, Transportation assistance
Setting(s)
Tested in multiple settings
Year evaluation began
2013
Implementing organization(s)Local child support agencies and their partners

Effectiveness rating and effect by outcome domain

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Outcome domain Term Effectiveness rating Effect in 2024 dollars and percentages Effect in standard deviations Sample size
Increase earnings Short-term Little evidence to assess support favorable $583 per year 0.016 10150
Long-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $-36 per year -0.001 6911
Very long-term Cannot assess support
Increase employment Short-term Little evidence to assess support favorable 0% (in percentage points) 0.007 10158
Long-term Little evidence to assess support favorable 0% (in percentage points) 0.004 6912
Very long-term Cannot assess support
Decrease benefit receipt Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $27 per year 0.008 10153
Long-term Not supported unfavorable $113 per year 0.033 10153
Very long-term Cannot assess support
Increase education and training All measurement periods Cannot assess support

Effectiveness ratings

  • Well- supported
  • Supported
  • Mixed support
  • Not supported
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Cannot assess support

Studies of this program

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
High High 1

Program cost

No cost information available.

Cost results

Estimate (in 2024 dollars) Quality of cost analysis that produced the estimate
Annual program cost, per participant * $3,315
Interpret cost findings with caution
Net benefit to participants, per participant $1,077
Interpret cost findings with caution

* See below for further details on the cost analysis.

Cost information

How much did the program cost per participant? 

The average annual program cost per participant was $3,315 in 2024 dollars. This figure is based on cost information for this program reported in one cost study reviewed by Pathways to Work (for details, see the FAQ). This study received a rating of Interpret cost findings with caution for the cost analysis.

How much did the program cost relative to the benefits it generated? 

A cost-benefit analysis was conducted in the cost study reviewed, receiving a rating of Interpret cost findings with caution. The net benefit to participants was $1,077 per participant in 2024 dollars. This means that the net program benefit to participants (difference in benefits between the program and comparison group) was $1,077 more than the net cost of the program to participants. The estimate is expressed as the net present value, which accounts for differences in the timing of when benefits and costs occurred. In addition, the net benefit to government was -$2,831 per participant in 2024 dollars. The net benefit to society was -$661 per participant in 2024 dollars. The net benefit to custodial parents and children was $1,067 per participant in 2024 dollars.

Cost information is not directly comparable across programs due to differences in the categories of costs reported and program length. Cost information is not an official price tag or guarantee.

Implementation details

Local context

Characteristics of research participants
Black or African American
40%
White
33%
Asian
1%
American Indian or Alaska Native
1%
More than one race
3%
Hispanic or Latino of any race
22%

Pathways to Work refers to programs by the names used in study reports or manuscripts. Some program names may use language that is not consistent with our style guide, preferences, or the terminology we use to describe populations.