October 16, 2003

            Detroit, MI— Today, Attorney General Mike Cox announced the PayKids Initiative to enhance efforts to collect unpaid child support for the 650,000 Michigan children who don’t receive the financial assistance they deserve.  The PayKids Initiative includes an interactive website to assist parents in recovering child support owed to their children, 39 billboards placed across Michigan to raise awareness on this issue, and a toll-free number for parents to communicate directly with the Attorney General’s Child Support Division.

“This initiative continues my commitment of ensuring that every Michigan child receives the support they deserve. By combining technology, the bully pulpit of government, and the active involvement of law enforcement, we are continuing to find new ways to solve the child support epidemic in Michigan,” stated Attorney General Cox.  “We will continue to pressure those deadbeat parents to fulfill their responsibilities to the 650,000 children in Michigan that they owe support.”

The thirty-nine billboards raising awareness on child support will appear in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Calhoun, Jackson, Ingham, Kalamazoo, and Kent Counties in various locations.  The two different themes adorning the billboards are:  “Pay Child Support on Time or Do Time,” and “We Never Treat Deadbeats with Kid Gloves.”

Additionally, people looking for resources to collect child support will have a toll-free number, 866-PAY-KIDS and a website,www.paykids.com to assist their efforts. 

In Michigan, child support arrearages exceed $7 billion, the third worst total in the country, behind Texas and California. Of that $7 billion, over $3 billion is owed to the State of Michigan and its taxpayers.  Over 650,000 children fail to receive the child support they deserve. 

            This new initiative complements tougher enforcement of non-support laws that the Attorney General’s office has pursued since the Child Support Division became operational in April.  To date, the division has arrested 54 people, issued 95 arrest warrants, and collected over $725,000 for Michigan’s children.  In Michigan, non-support of a child is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. 

“As Attorney General, these children will be my cause,” noted Cox.  “This initiative will make a difference in the lives of Michigan families.”

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For further information contact: Matt Davis
517-373-8060 (Office)
State of Michigan, Department of Attorney General