Policies.

This brief examines the relationship between increased child support enforcement and frequency of visitation between children and their nonresident fathers. Data come from the 1997 and 1999 National Survey of America's Families. The study emphasizes children of single mothers because children in such households face the greatest risk of long-term poverty. The study documents the frequency with which nonresident fathers visit their children and notes factors associated with more frequent contact between nonresident fathers and their children. It compares changes in frequency of visitation among families who are likely and unlikely to use child support enforcement services. Results find that children in poverty are particularly likely to live with single mothers and to see their nonresident fathers infrequently or never. Children with support orders who receive payments have more frequent contact with their nonresident fathers. Children born out o