Taking Him Downtown: Child Support in the Words of Women.

This policy brief provides an overview of the Child Support system, the barriers Child Support creates for low-­income families, and the policy changes needed for it to effectively meet the collective needs of very low-­income fathers, mothers and children. Drawing upon Women In Fatherhood Inc.'s (WIFI's) qualitative research with women, research on fragile families, and interviews with female experts in the fatherhood field, we provide suggestions for changes to Child Support that will better ensure children are cared for and supported by both parents while encouraging father involvement and financial stability for fathers and mothers. This brief is written from the perspective of women--women who are working in, or recipients of, public assistance programs--namely Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Support. (Author abstract)