Baltimore allocates $7.9M for child support services amid funding challenges

In a recent meeting of the Maryland General Assembly's Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee, significant discussions centered around the state's child support services and budget allocations. The meeting, held on February 27, 2025, highlighted the complexities and challenges facing the Department of Human Services (DHS) as it navigates funding and performance metrics related to child support.

The committee reviewed a budget of $7.9 million allocated for child support services in Baltimore City, noting a substantial increase of $7.7 million from the previous fiscal year. This rise is primarily attributed to a $5.5 million increase in cooperative reimbursement agreements, which aim to align the budget with anticipated costs. However, the fiscal 2025 budget appears lower due to prepayments made in the previous year, raising questions about the sustainability of funding.

A critical point of discussion was the Child Support Reinvestment Fund, which has seen revenue growth but is projected to decline in the upcoming fiscal years. DHS is expected to clarify the reasons behind this anticipated decrease, which could stem from changes in federal reimbursements or lower collection rates. The committee expressed concern that the fiscal 2025 budget did not include these funds, potentially leading to increased state spending without federal reimbursement.

The meeting also addressed the performance of the child support program, revealing that only one of the three required performance reports had been submitted by DHS. This lack of reporting limits the committee's ability to assess progress toward federal incentive goals. The committee urged DHS to improve its data submission processes to ensure transparency and accountability.

Another significant topic was the driver's license suspension amnesty program launched in August 2024, aimed at helping non-custodial parents resolve license suspensions related to child support. Despite over 21,500 eligible participants, only 1,127 engaged with the program, raising concerns about barriers to participation. The committee called for DHS to explore strategies to enhance outreach and effectiveness in future initiatives.

In conclusion, the HHS Committee's discussions underscored the ongoing challenges within Maryland's child support system, particularly regarding funding, performance metrics, and program participation. As DHS works to address these issues, the committee's recommendations will be crucial in shaping the future of child support services in the state. The next steps will involve DHS providing further explanations on budget omissions and performance reporting, as well as developing strategies to improve engagement with non-custodial parents.