Resolution II

In Support of Federal Financial Support of Enforcement of Custody and Visitation Support Services by State Courts
and Executive Agencies

WHEREAS, Title IV-D of the Social Security Act provides for federal financial participation in support of state and local judicial and executive branch agencies enforcing orders of financial support of children; and 

WHEREAS, data provided by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement show that 85% of parents who have regular contact with their children also meet their financial child support obligations; and 

WHEREAS, children generally benefit from the financial and emotional support of both parents; and 

WHEREAS, state judicial and executive branch agencies with responsibility for ensuring the welfare of children and families must have flexibility to address all issues relating to the well-being of children without artificial legal or financial barriers; and 

WHEREAS, parents and children in separated families frequently do not have effective access to services to resolve issues relating custody and visitation; and 

WHEREAS, unresolved issues relating to custody and visitation often lead to increased stress for parents and children, refusal or failure to pay child support, and in some cases family violence. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators encourage the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement, to make available Title IV-D Federal Financial Participation dollars to states for custody and visitation support services, at the option of the various states; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conferences urge Congress to provide adequate funding for this purpose.

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