Assessing the Needs of Low-Income Parents who Owe Child Support: Where Can the Social Workers Make a Difference?

Abstract

For social work practitioners to incorporate the needs of low-income noncustodial parents into their provided services successfully, they need to be aware of the wide range of financial difficulties and social problems experienced by these clients. Using survey and administrative data, this article provides a formal assessment of the support service needs of low-income noncustodial parents, mostly fathers, with an active child support obligation. Results indicate that the needs of many noncustodial fathers are not being met adequately. A discussion of the potential role of practitioners in assisting the noncustodial parent in complying with their child support obligations is included.

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