Child Support Services Management
The child support services management industry provides critical enforcement and help for custodial and non-custodial parents. The work can be stressful and is not for everyone. Read about professional titles and duties here, as well as how much education you'll need to need to work in the field.
<h2 id="section---IsChildSupportServicesManagementRightForMe">Is Child Support Services Management Right for Me?</h2>
<h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3>
<p>According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2011, only 43.4% of custodial parents received the full amount of their court-ordered child support payments (<i>www.census.gov</i>). As a professional working in child support services, you'll help custodial and non-custodial parents make financial and emotional connections with their children, including making sure that custodial parents receive court-ordered monetary support.
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<h3 id="section---CareerOptionsAndProfessionalDuties">Career Options and Professional Duties</h3>
<p>In general, your work as a child support specialist will include conducting client interviews, gathering financial data and calculating child support payment amounts. As a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Human_Service_Assistant_Career_and_Salary_FAQs.html">human services assistant</a>, you'll schedule appointments and handle the administrative portion of a case, which may involve researching alternative social welfare programs. If you decide to become a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Does_a_Case_Manager_Do.html">family case manager</a>, you'll work with clients to identify relevant resources, gather required paperwork and complete the application process. While many child support services professionals work with local or state government agencies, such as human resources divisions or social service departments, you may also be employed by an independent organization that secures court-ordered payments.
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<h3 id="section---EmploymentAndSalaryInformation">Employment and Salary Information</h3>
<p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that job growth for social and human services assistants was expected to grow by 22%, or faster than average, from 2012-2022. Those who specialize in child and family services will remain in demand. As of May 2013, social and human services assistants earned an average annual salary of $31,280 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>).
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<h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInChildSupportServicesManagement">How Can I Work in Child Support Services Management?</h2>
<h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3>
<p>The educational requirements for child support professionals vary depending on the employer and complexity of the job. In general, a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for obtaining a job as a social and human services assistant; however, some employers may prefer candidates with an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Human_Services_Associates_Degree.html">associate's degree in human services</a> or another relevant field of study. Aspiring child support specialists may need a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Human_Services_Management_Bachelors_Degree.html">bachelor's degree in human services management</a> or a related discipline. Once enrolled, you may study child development, child abuse laws and psychology or learn how to design learning programs. Program outcomes include the ability to plan and direct case management, crisis intervention and human service initiatives.</p>