More than payments: How Minnesota’s child support program strengthens families

August is Child Support Awareness Month

For many families, child support is a critical part of the stability children need to grow and thrive.

Minnesota’s child support program helps make that possible by working with parents, caregivers, county and Tribal agencies, courts and community partners to help families meet their responsibilities and get the support they need.

During Child Support Awareness Month, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) recognizes the people who make that work possible and highlights the many ways Minnesota’s child support system supports children and families.

Supporting children starts with supporting families

Child support provides a reliable source of financial support for children when their parents do not live together. DCYF’s Child Support Division works with county and Tribal child support agencies and both parents to establish and enforce child support orders.

In 2025, Minnesota’s child support program:

Served more than 189,000 children.
Collected and disbursed more than $500 million in child support.
Collected $2.42 in support for every $1 spent on the program.

Child support staff also help parents locate the other parent, establish orders for basic, child care and medical support, collect and distribute payments, enforce court orders and review orders when a family’s circumstances change.

These services help create greater stability for children while recognizing that families’ needs can change over time.

To learn more and sign up for services, visit Child Support on DCYF’s website.

Connecting families to what they need

A family’s financial circumstances, employment, housing, relationships and other challenges can all affect a parent’s ability to provide consistent support for their children.

Minnesota’s child support program connects parents with services that can help address the circumstances affecting their ability to meet their obligations. Depending on their needs, that may include employment programs, visitation services, fatherhood programs and other community resources.

For some parents, additional barriers can make it especially difficult to keep up with child support payments. Veterans, parents who are incarcerated and parents returning to their communities after incarceration may face circumstances that require additional support.

County and Tribal child support workers can connect these parents with resources helpful for successful transitions and make it easier for them to support their children.

Share input on child support guidelines

DCYF’s Child Support Division is currently reviewing Minnesota’s child support guidelines, which help determine how child support amounts are set. These guidelines play an important role in ensuring child support orders are fair, consistent and responsive to families’ needs.

We want to hear from you. Learn more about the review and share your input by Sept. 15, 2026 at: https://minnesotadcyf.us.engagementhq.com/child-support-guidelines-review/surveys/guidelines_feedback

Learn more about Minnesota’s child support program

Whether you are a parent looking for services, a caregiver seeking support or a partner working with families, resources are available.

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