Previous research demonstrates that most female heads of families get neither adequate nor regular child support payments. This study provides a quantitative assessment of the nature of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) child support problem, and analyzes the effects of various government policies on success in collecting support for AFDC mothers. Data utilized are the 1975 AFDC Survey Case records. These data show that over two thirds of AFDC mothers were deserted or have an out of wedlock child, two events associated with the most severe obstacles to child support collection. Though collection services have been expanded, and though services were effective for those reached, less than half of the 1975 caseload received this help. The effectiveness of collection services probably results from their emphasis on voluntary support, rather than relatively ineffective court orders. One reform that might complement increased use of voluntary agreements would be the redesign of State AFDC benefit formulas to encourage collection of support. Though most States currently reduce payments one dollar for every dollar of child support income, tentative evidence is that States with large set-asides for child support income may be encouraging mothers to collect support. (Author/GC)