The Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency Project: Applying behavioral economics principles to child support programs
Insights from behavioral economics, which combines findings from psychology and economics, suggest that an improved understanding of human behavior and decision-making could inform program design and improve outcomes. OPRE’s Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self Sufficiency (BIAS) project designs and tests behaviorally-informed program innovations for ACF programs. This session will share early findings and lessons learned from BIAS’s work with child support agencies in Texas and Ohio. (conference program description)
• Behavioral Economics and Social Policy: Designing Innovative Solutions for Programs Supported by the Administration for Children and Families
Lashawn Richburg-Hayes (MDRC)
The presentation gives an overview of how behavioral concepts are being applied to social policy within the context of the Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) Project.
• Using Behavioral Economics to Help Incarcerated Parents Apply for Child Support Order Modifications
Mary Farrell (MEF Associates)
Michael Hayes (Texas Office of the Attorney General)
The presentation describes the Texas pilot of the Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) Project, a program designed to increase the number of incarcerated, non-custodial parents who apply for child support order modifications.
• Using Behavioral Economics to Increase Timely and Regular Child Support Payments
Peter Baird (MDRC)
Susan Brown (Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency
The presentation describes the Franklin County, Ohio pilot of the Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) Project, an initiative to increase the total amounts of child support collected and the frequency of payments.
These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).