The Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association (WCSEA) applauds the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee for providing an additional $7.5 million in state funds to local child support agencies as well as $7.4 million to modernize the child support IT system as part of the 2023-25 state budget.
“The increased funding provided by the Joint Finance Committee will help Wisconsin compete with other states for federal performance funding, address serious staffing issues, and better serve the 347,000 children who rely on us for economic security,” said WCSEA President Dustin Feeney.
County child support agencies provide a broad array of services that reduce childhood poverty rates, establish parental rights, ensure children have access to health care and promote the involvement of both parents in the lives of their children.
Wisconsin has begun to fall in the national child support rankings as other states have invested in their programs and started to surpass us. Between 2016 and 2021, Wisconsin dropped in key performance categories, including paternity establishment and collection of current support. Thanks to this additional state investment, Wisconsin can better compete with other states for federal performance funds.
“Wisconsin child support agencies are grateful for the positive action taken by the Joint Finance Committee which will help ensure that Wisconsin children and families have access to the economic security services we provide,” said Feeney.
