States can now use federal money to help noncustodial parents find jobs

State and Tribal child support agencies can now use federal funds to provide employment and training services. This means noncustodial parents, who owe child support, can get help finding and keeping jobs.

For years, child support programs focused on collecting money, not on helping parents earn it. This rule change means states can now invest in job training and support for parents who are struggling to pay. The idea is that if parents can find stable work, they are more likely to make their child support payments consistently.