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Track 3: Child Support and Finances

Managing child support and finances can be challenging. In this track, we offer sessions that provide guidance on navigating child support agreements, budgeting tips for single parents, and strategies for managing financial responsibilities. Whether you’re seeking advice on negotiating child support or looking for ways to improve your financial literacy, these sessions will provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

Bridging Policy and Practice: Child Support, Financial Stability, and Family Well-Being

Presented By Quentin Riser

Presented in English, interpretation available upon request in registration

This session examines how child support systems shape family financial stability and child well-being, with attention to policy design and everyday realities. Designed for practitioners, policymakers, fathers and advocates, it offers research-informed insights and practical strategies to support families navigating financial obligations and economic uncertainty.

Quentin H. Riser is an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research examines how policies and family structures shape child and family well-being, with a focus on child support, shared parenting, and financial instability. Using large-scale administrative and survey data, his work bridges research and policy to inform more equitable systems. He is affiliated with the Institute for Research on Poverty and the Center for Demography and Ecology. Riser also co-authored the children’s book Eden’s Money Magic with his twin brother, Quinlan Riser, helping young readers build early financial literacy skills.

More Than a Payment

Presented By Alwyn A. Foster

Presented in English, interpretation available upon request in registration

This workshop creates space for honest conversations about the emotional impact of child support while reinforcing the importance of financial responsibility to children. Participants will explore stress, co-parenting challenges, financial strain, guilt, and mental wellness while recognizing that a father’s value extends beyond financial provision.

Through practical strategies, personal stories, and discussion, fathers will gain tools to navigate pressure in healthy ways, remain engaged in their children’s lives, and strengthen their role as parents regardless of their current financial circumstances. Parenting is more than a payment.

Alwyn A. Foster is a father of six and a therapist with a passion for supporting fathers and promoting mental wellness. Drawing on experience in case management and behavioral health services, he helps fathers build resilience, strengthen family connections, and prioritize self-care. Alwyn is dedicated to creating safe, practical spaces for honest conversations about fatherhood, emotional well-being, and personal growth.

Child Support 101: Understanding the Process and your Rights

Presented By Miguel McDonald

Presented in English, interpretation available upon request in registration

This session provides a practical overview of the child support process, including opening a case, obtaining a court order, enforcing an order, and closing a case. Participants will learn what the Child Support Agency can and cannot do, common misconceptions about the system, and resources available to families. The session is designed primarily for fathers and secondarily for service providers and community advocates, with time reserved for questions and answers.

Miguel McDonald is the proud father of two children and has dedicated more than 20 years to public service. Since 2018, he has served with the Dane County Child Support Agency, specializing in court order establishment, fiscal case management, interstate cases, and enforcement of child support orders. As a bilingual professional fluent in Spanish, Miguel is committed to helping families understand and navigate the child support process while promoting positive outcomes for children and parents.