The program began enrolling participants in March 1999. In May 2000, there were ninety-five people in the program. IRIS now averages five new participants per week. Many of the programs early participants have now maintained employment for almost eight months. Seven percent of participants have earned enough to have their MFIP cases closed.
Many participants come to the program with serious problems.
A family receiving child support payments is less likely to be dependent on public assistance, particularly if support is combined with other income. Payment of child support also increases the non-custodial parent s responsibility to and involvement with his or her children. Issuing a court order. Enforcing the court order. The Hennepin County Child Support staff in December 1999 had 65,698 active cases.