YoungWilliams is a private corporation located in Jackson, Mississippi.  We provide a wide range of child support services under contract with state and local government agencies that comprise the nation’s child support enforcement program.   These entities are known as “IV-D agencies” because they are authorized under Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is charged with oversight of the IV-D program.  However, states and U.S. Territories operate their own distinct IV-D programs in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Tribes may also receive federal approval to operate IV-D programs in accordance with their traditions and values.  The national child support enforcement system is composed of the federal government, states, counties, tribes, and public and private partners working together to carry out the IV-D program’s mission of “enhancing the well-being of children by assuring that assistance in obtaining support, including financial and medical, is available to children…"

In general, OCSE covers 66% of state IV-D program operating costs.  The state match is 34%. States that meet or exceed federal performance goals may earn additional federal funding in the form of financial incentives.  Likewise, states may incur financial penalties for failing to meet minimum federal performance standards.

IV-D services encompass:

• Establishing paternity for children born out of wedlock
• Establishing and modifying child support and medical support orders
• Locating parents and their assets
• Enforcing child and medical support orders
• Cooperating with other state and tribal IV-D agencies
• Collecting and distributing child support payments

The IV-D program has a number of other components that contribute to its efficiency and effectiveness.  For example, each state must have an automated child support system, a new hire reporting program, a hospital paternity establishment program, a state disbursement unit, and other functional units and programs to satisfy federal requirements.  Many states have statewide customer service units as well to enhance the quality of care that customers receive.

Primary program customers are single, separated, and divorced parents who are required to pay or are entitled to receive child support.  Custodial parents who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits are automatically referred to the IV-D program for the full range of services.  Custodial and non-custodial parents who aren’t receiving TANF may apply for services.  

States are required by federal regulation to designate a single and separate organizational unit of State government to administer the child support program; however, program structures vary among states.  In most states, the IV-D program is domiciled within the social services agency; however, in some states it may reside in the department of revenue or the office of the attorney general.  While local IV-D offices are operated by states, counties may also operate local offices under cooperative agreements with their states. Finally, some states have a combination of state and county administered offices.

Regardless of their operational structure, most states and counties have the authority to enter into contracts with private sector vendors, such as YoungWilliams, for provision of IV-D and other ancillary child support services.  These public-private partnerships can offer a number of advantages to states and counties that choose to privatize some or all of their services.  A few of these are listed below:

• Competitive bidding among qualified vendors can result in lower costs
• Contracts can be constructed to provide incentives and penalties for performance
• IV-D agencies can focus on “steering” rather than “rowing,” and reallocate resources to contract management, program oversight, policy development, and compliance functions
• Contractors may bring specialized expertise that is outside of traditional IV-D operations, such as call center management and operational experience
• Contractors with operations in other states can adapt best practices to local operations
• Contractors often have more flexibility to add staff and resources without going through an extensive procurement process

Of the handful of vendors that provide IV-D services, YoungWilliams is the only one that specializes exclusively in child support.  Our staff and leadership team possess extensive IV-D program knowledge and experience. We keep abreast of new developments, innovative ideas, and state-of-the-art technology.  We are resourceful, energetic and passionate about the IV-D program’s mission.  We are proud of our reputation for outstanding customer service and hassle-free contracts.

For more information about YoungWilliams, we invite you to contact us via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .