The major features of the Child Support Enforcement program as prescribed by Federal statute and regulation are outlined. Also described are significant accomplishments and problems encountered in the administration of the program, in the development of policy, in the provision of technical assistance to the States, and in the provision of direct service through the Federal Parent Locator Service (PLA). The research undertaken and the services rendered by organizations outside of the government are also described. The research projects discussed are: (1) Comparative Study of Procedures and Systems to Establish Paternity; (2) Using Blood Tests to Establish Paternity; (3) Development of an Operational Handbook and Procedures for Establishment of Paternity; (4) IV-D Technology Transfer Model; and (5) Guide for Determining Child Support Payments from an Absent Parent. There is a chapter devoted to state IV-D programs and it includes a statistical and program characteristics profile for each state as of September 30,1976. Information, in tabular form, concerning the impact of the Child Support Enforcement program is also provided. (Author/AM)