This year marks 50 years since the implementation of the national child support program in the U.S. This golden milestone represents half a century of supporting children and families and improving economic and social well-being across the country, our territories and indigenous communities.
Today, I reflect on how far we’ve come in transforming the citizen experience through technology, significantly impacting the lives of children and families in need.
From paper to digital: The evolution of citizen service
The child support program has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception. Born out of the concept of welfare recoupment, it has evolved into the third largest program supporting children, collecting over $30B annually for more than 12.5 million children.
When I look back at where we started, the contrast is striking. Gone are the days of ledger cards and hand calculations, hard files filled with legal-size yellow binder paper containing handwritten notes and heat-sensitive paper with long-hand algebra determining support obligations.
Technology as a service to citizens
The technological evolution hasn't just been about internal efficiency—it's fundamentally changed how citizens interact with child support services. What was once a system designed primarily for enforcement has become a platform for support and empowerment. We’re now offering more flexible payment methods and modernized systems that leverage technology to better accommodate diverse needs. We're also expanding self-help options and recognizing the need to change perceptions of the program, evidenced by the renaming of the federal office, from the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) to the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS).
The next 50 years: citizen-centered innovation
What will the next 50 years bring? Likely, a child support system that is more responsive, modern and supportive than ever before. Future systems will be shaped by flexible, adaptable regulations that better reflect the evolving needs of families. Continued modernization and emerging technologies will transform service delivery, making it easier for parents and caregivers to access the support they need. Self-help portals will become more robust, enabling users to upload documents, share information, sign forms electronically and participate in virtual meetings—all from the convenience of their devices. Employment training and support services will integrate more seamlessly, connecting custodial and non-custodial parents to stable, meaningful work.
As we look to the future, I envision a child support system that continues to leverage technology to improve the citizen experience in several key ways:
- Employment services: Child support programs are beginning to take action on the new direction coming from Office of Child Support Services, with employment services on the horizon to help parents maintain their ability to support their children.
- Parenting support: Technology will facilitate services to help parents navigate raising children across multiple households, including parenting time expansions.
- Artificial intelligence and automation: AI will help provide personalized support while maintaining the human touch that families need.
From enforcement to empowerment
The technological transformation of child support services represents a broader shift in philosophy—from a system focused primarily on enforcement to one centered on empowerment and support.
We've expanded services to anyone regardless of income, identified crucial partnerships to make the program work and implemented automated systems that serve families more effectively.
The Native American tribal access expansion to tax information is another example of how technology enables more communities to run independent child support enforcement programs, bringing services closer to the people who need them.
Better technology, better outcomes
As we celebrate 50 years of the child support program, the evolution from paper-based processes to digital services reflects our commitment to improving the citizen experience. The technology isn't just about efficiency—it's about creating more human-centered services that meet families where they are. For example, CGI Transcend® is a cloud-native platform that manages health and human services workflows, including child support, while enabling digital transformation through configurable modules, integration services and advanced analytics.
The next 50 years promise even greater transformation as we continue to leverage technology not just as a tool, but as a service platform that delivers meaningful outcomes for children and families across the country.
When we think about "software as a service" in the context of child support, the true service isn't the technology itself—it's the improved experience and outcomes for the citizens we serve. That's the legacy we're building for the next 50 years.
Is a child support modernization project on your mind? Contact us to continue to discussion.
About this author
David Kilgore
Director, Consulting Services
David Kilgore is a Director for the Child Support Practice with CGI, bringing over 20 years of experience, most recently leading California’s Child Support Program. Under his leadership, the department achieved significant technological and programmatic advancements to improve children's lives. Notably, he spearheaded a full ...
