California’s Director of Child Support Services Receives National Award for Helping Create International Standards and Agreements

On August 2nd through 6th, the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) held its annual Leadership Symposium where directors and other leaders in the child support community shared and celebrated best practices, partnerships and innovative thinking for the day-to-day management of the child support program.

DCSS Director Alisha Griffin

At this year’s event, the Kathy Duggan Memorial Award was presented to Alisha Griffin, Director of California’s Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). The award is given to those who have exhibited truly exceptional dedication and effort to promote the best interests of children and families served by the child support program.

The memorial award was created after former NCSEA Executive Director, Kathy Duggan, lost her battle to cancer in 1993. Duggan served as NCSEA’s Executive Director from 1987-1993 with a philosophical and exceptional devotion to the importance of child support.

Alisha Griffin’s similarly endless dedication to child support with over 18 years in the child support program exemplifies the qualities required of a recipient of the Kathy Duggan Memorial Award.

“Alisha’s efforts have been extremely meritorious and far beyond her normal calling,” Steven Golightly, current NCSEA President and Director of Los Angeles County Department of Child Support Services Division said as he presented the award. “Alisha merits this recognition as someone who also is dedicated to the ideals and principles of child support.”  

Alisha has been with the child support program for more than 18 years, previously serving in public and private family services, including child welfare, child protection, rehabilitation and therapeutic service systems. Before joining DCSS, Alisha served as Director of New Jersey’s Child Support Program. There, she focused on practice improvements, streamlining all collections and disbursement systems, improving fiscal management and revamping customer service by creating a “one-stop shop” for child support participants. 

DCSS Director Alisha Griffin and LACSSD Director Steven Golightly

“Director Griffin continuously encourages and challenges department staff and managers to re-evaluate and re-engineer our business processes, tools and organizational structure in order to better serve our child support and local child support agency customers,” said Mark Beckley, Chief Deputy Director of DCSS. "With Alisha’s strong leadership and her broad and deep knowledge of the child support program, California’s Child Support Program has a bright future ahead."

In addition to heading one of the largest child support programs in the United States, Alisha has represented the U.S. at The Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance. She helped formulate the United States’ position and worked to get the agreement, focused on creating uniform procedures for child support enforcement and cooperation among countries, passed by the U.S. Congress.

Because of her expertise she was invited to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Hague Convention and its benefits to U.S. children and families and recently presented at the University of Hong Kong.

While visiting with California county child support agencies and staff, Alisha has focused on quality customer service, the dedication of staff in the program and the importance of child support to families and children.

“Our goal is to change the focus of child support from punitive and solely about enforcement to an upfront customer focused family support program,” Alisha stated.

Alisha is often praised for her consistent commitment and openness to taking on challenges.

“I knew that we had a different kind of leader when Alisha traveled to Imperial County to address and meet with our staff, which had never occurred before,” said Gustavo Roman, Director of Imperial County Department of Child Support Services. “Through Alisha’s efforts in working with Mexican authorities such as the Mexican Consulate, the issue of Mexican residents’ inability to collect and cash their child support payments was satisfactorily resolved.

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By: Dana Simas

Communications Director

CA Dept. of Child Support Services

San Mateo County Dept. of Child Support shares, What is Child Support?

Sonoma County Celebrates Child Support Awareness Month and Hosts Second Annual School Supply Drive

To celebrate August as Child Support Awareness Month, Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) held its second annual back-to-school supply drive and was able to provide 160 low-income children with the school supplies they need to succeed.

Sonoma DCSS employees, along with employees from other county agencies, donated school supplies to distribute to children whose parents participate in the California Child Support Program. 

“(DCSS) staff were very generous by donating dozens of backpacks and school supplies,” said Jennifer Traumann, Director of Sonoma DCSS. “It is such a privilege to work with families in our community and help provide children with the essential supplies they need to begin their school year.” 

Sonoma DCSS contacted 300 hundred families with children between five and 11 who participate in the local child support program who receive zero or low amount of support. Dozens of families responded and DCSS provided school supplies to at least 160 low-income children.

A new event this year, called “Kidspree,” went beyond the backpack and school supply donations. The event, introduced by Sonoma DCSS employee Ryan Arrow, Legal Processor, offered two families an opportunity to participate in a back-to-school shopping spree. Both families received $150 to purchase clothing and other back-to-school necessities, additionally, each child received free dental screenings, haircuts and breakfast. 

On August 16^th, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors joined California and other states to recognize August as Child Support Awareness Month.

“Because of the important work of DCSS, we distribute nearly 30 million dollars back into our community to support our children,” said Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane, who also serves as liaison to the Sonoma County DCSS.

Sonoma DCSS staff attended the event along with Sonoma DCSS Director Jennifer Traumann, who gave a presentation to the Board. Also in attendance was Monique Chapman, the Sheriff’s Department Civil Bureau Manager, who worked with Sonoma DCSS to recover $19,000 in unpaid child support for families through the Bureau of Unclaimed Property. 

“We know that providing for a child’s basic needs is an essential building block to help children grow into thriving, self-sustaining adults,” said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Efren Carrillo.  “Sonoma DCSS invests in kids, and ultimately in shaping the future of the community.”

Many parents consistently contribute to their child’s well-being in many different ways. Sonoma DCSS took a moment to thank the parents who have consistently made timely support payments by sending thank you cards. DCSS hopes that by acknowledging their ongoing commitment, parents will understand the importance of both emotional and financial support of their children and continue to invest in their

future.

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By: Pamela Crandell, Interim Assistant Director

Sonoma County Dept. of Child Support Servicess

Shasta, Santa Barbara, Solano and San Mateo Counties Give Big to Youth for Back-to-School

Shasta County
 
Shasta County DCSS held a backpack giveaway with donations topping 180 backpacks with 140 entrants participating in the giveaway.  Shasta DCSS will be holding another giveaway of the remaining 40 backpacks at the end of August as the agency continues to receive entry forms from families in the area.
 
Supplies included in the backpack were relevant to the child’s grade level; including paper, binders, pencils, pens, rulers, and calculators.
 
Cash donations helped purchase many of the supplies including thumb drives for high school age children.  Along with donations received from the community and staff, Shasta DCSS received 100 gift cards donated by Dutch Brothers Coffee.
 
Both children and customers expressed gratitude in receiving backpacks filled with supplies. Read more about the event featured in the Redding Record-Searchlight: http://bit.ly/2ai3ZXO

Santa Barbara DCSS Donates 100 lbs of supplies

Santa Barbara
 
Santa Barbara County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) participated in the local United Way “Stuff the Bus” campaign. The staff at Santa Barbara DCSS donated more than 100 pounds of school supplies and backpacks in support of United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County’s “Stuff the Bus” campaign.

Solano County

Solano County DCSS employees have participated in a backpack giveaway through a local church since 2011. The first year, Solano DCSS got a late start and planned to supply 25 backpacks, but exceeded that goal and collected 53 stocked backpacks for kids in kindergarten through second grade.
 
The next year, Solano DCSS put together 150 backpacks and for the last three consecutive years, with the help of Solano County Special Investigations Bureau, 250 backpacks have been donated.
 
Solano DCSS has done a variety of fundraisers such as bake sales and hot dog lunches to raise money for the backpack drive, but the biggest fundraiser, is an auction. 
 
At the auction, a variety of items are donated by Solano DCSS employees who then hold both a live auction during the lunch hour and a day-long silent auction. 
 
In 2015, Solano DCSS raised more than $600 and this year raised $935.00 to purchase backpacks. Once the back-to-school sales begin, different units within Solano DCSS volunteer to purchase the items to place in the backpacks and whatever is not covered by the different units is purchased with some of the auction money.
 
San Mateo County
San Mateo DCSS collected approximately 25 backpacks and several school supplies, such as binders/folder, pens, pencils, highlighters, paper, crayons, rulers, markers, etc. All of the supplies and backpacks were donated to the Children's Fund of San Mateo County.
 
The Children's Fund directly disperses the backpacks and supplies to foster and low-income children in San Mateo County. The Children's Fund receives referrals for those in need directly from social workers, case managers, public health care nurses, probation officers and partner community agencies. The organization serves more than 4,500 children and teens in San Mateo County. 
 
Every year San Mateo County DCSS consistently participates in the Children's Fund Holiday Annual Toy Drive in November/December and the Children's Fund Back to School Drive in the summer months.
 

State DCSS staff deliver backpacks and supplies

State DCSS
Collectively, DCSS was donated more than 50 backpacks, approximately 35 of which were fully packed with items such as paper, glue, pencils, calculators, crayons, colored pencils, etc.

In addition to all of the physical donations, DCSS employees and friends donated more than $1,600 in cash donations. This will help purchase hundreds more items and backpacks for foster and homeless youth to start the school year off with the supplies they need to be successful.
 
Read more about the CA DCSS “Operation Backpack” drive here: http://bit.ly/2a6NxcP

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Kern County Child Support Hosts Thousands of Attendees at Health and Wellness Fair

To recognize August as Child Support Awareness Month, Kern County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) hosted its successful 7th Annual Back-to-School Health and Wellness Fair.

Kern County DCSS partnered with more than 75 community partners that deliver a wide-range of services to local families, including mental health, Fresno Pacific University, both Boy and Girl Scouts, Health and Human Services, CalFRESH and more.

More than 2,600 people attended the event held at the Kern County Fairgrounds offered free haircuts, face painting, dental services, hula hoop contests and vaccinations.

“The event really offered everything families would need to get their kids ready for school,” said Marcus Mitchell, Director of Kern County DCSS.

Dozens of sponsors have joined the popular event since it started seven years ago. “It’s grown from being held in a parking lot to expanding to the fairgrounds,” said Mitchell.

Some of the sponsors include Kern County Bar Association Charitable Foundation, Kern County Federal Credit Union, Kern Family Health Care, KERO-TV ABC 23, Azteca Bakersfield, Canteen and Scott Family Foundation.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to host the successful three-hour event. To pull it off, Kern County delegates committees that come together from different areas within DCSS, spearheaded by Tracy Salerno, Marketing Associate at Kern County DCSS.

“We’ve got it down to a fine science and the staff that put it together do a fantastic job,” said Mitchell.

In addition to organizing the event, Kern County employees also raise the funds through employee fundraisers and community partnership donations. Kern County staff solicited donations and donated money themselves and even worked after-hours to stuff the backpacks.

There were Walmart and Costco gift cards handed out, water and snacks were provided free-of-charge, music and games for kids were provided by Reach for Greatness and a “selfie” challenge using social media made the event even more interactive and entertaining for kids.

“My favorite part is watching the children get their backpacks,” said Mitchell. “It’s rewarding to see the pride on their face and how excited they were to be able to choose their own backpack.”
Each child that attended was given a backpack. Kern County DCSS even handed out one backpack if the parent attended but the child was not there. 

In addition to the Kern County Fairgrounds event, there was an event in Ridgecrest that included 34 community partners where more than 500 backpacks were given away. Kern County DCSS also reaches out to eight smaller communities in the area through the local libraries where backpacks were handed out on first-come, first-served basis.

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By: Dana Simas

Communications Director

CA Dept. of Child Support Services

Child Support Employees Receive Outstanding IT Service and Support Award

On August 11, at this year’s California Technology Forum, the Center for Digital Government presented its Best of California Awards. Three California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) employees were among the recipients.

Teri Hartley, Laura Jee and Jean Pratt received the “Outstanding IT Service and Support” award for their work on the design, development, testing and implementation of a new application that enables individuals in California to apply for child support services online. Using the new, Virtual Interactive Online Application (VIOLA), a child support case can be initiated using a computer, tablet or mobile device. 

VIOLA leads the applicant through the process based on the individual’s responses to questions. At the end of the process, VIOLA, which interfaces with the DCSS’s Child Support Enforcement System (CSE), automatically opens a case.

Designing an online application process for the nation’s largest child support program was a major undertaking and required the formation of a team of DCSS staff members from different divisions.  Work began in February 2015, with Laura Jee, Deputy Program Manager II assigned as Project Manager.

Laura was joined by Jean Pratt, Staff Information Services Analyst, who took on the task of Technical Systems Analyst and Teri Hartley, Associate Governmental Program Analyst was designated business lead. Though none of the team members had worked together before, their task was to design and deploy VIOLA within one year. 

Working together, the VIOLA team engaged staff members from all parts of DCSS, including California’s regional and local child support agencies. 

The team gathered, documented and scrutinized all the business requirements in order for the technical architects to develop a solid technical design. Considerable effort went into building consensus so the project moved forward and met deadlines.

They listened and incorporated suggestions from a broad variety of child support program stakeholders on functionality and operation, which made VIOLA an exceptional product.

VIOLA was officially launched on December 6, 2015 and the results have been amazing. More than 23,000 applications for child support have been completed and submitted using VIOLA.  A customer service survey showed an astounding 99 percent approval rating from VIOLA users. 

“The VIOLA Team believed in themselves and trusted each other,” said Catherine Lanzaro, Data Processing Manger IV. “(The team) always focused on making a difference in the lives of children and families. That is why VIOLA was successful.”

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By: Randy Juster

Associate Governmental Program Analyst

CA Dept. of Child Support Services

Alameda Child Support Listens to the Community, Engages Employers

On August 18th, 2016, Alameda County Department of Child Support Services (ACDCSS) held the first of a series titled, “Listening Sessions” aimed at learning how the community perceives and is impacted by child support.

The first session brought together a diverse group of fathers to have a conversation about their personal experiences with child support.  The open-ended format of the session allowed the participants to share freely about the challenges they face in supporting their children while navigating a complex system.  The stories and data collected from the listening sessions will be compiled into a report with findings and recommendations for further improving service delivery to the community.
 
The next "Listening Sessions" is scheduled for Thursday, August 25th. ACDCSS will hold a session for mothers to share their experiences, as well as one for Spanish speakers. 

Listening Session participants prepare to discuss child support.

ACDCSS will close out CSAM with an Employer Workshop on August 31st.  The event is a collaboration with other local child support agencies including Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Solano counties. The goal is to strengthen partnerships with employers and provide education and resources to enable them to better fulfill their pivotal role in the collection of child support.  The event will be simulcast on the web so that employers throughout the state can participate.
 
For more information or to register for upcoming events, please go to: http://www.acdcss.org/

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By: Leon Fernando
Community Relations Manger
Alameda County Department of Child Support Services

California’s Child Support Program Goes Big for Child Support Awareness Month 2016, And We’re Not Done Yet

August has been a busy month so far for California’s Child Support Program as local, regional and state agencies kicked off Child Support Awareness Month (CSAM). This year the theme, “Your Support Shapes Their Future,” reflects the reality that child support can unlock passions, inspire ideas and truly shape the next generation.

Official poster of CSAM 2016

To recognize CSAM, television and radio public service announcements (PSA) were created and have been airing in both English and Spanish across the state on commercial television networks and primetime radio spots. You can find the PSAs on Valley PBS websites, heard along the Central Coast airwaves on KION, seen on billboards in Solano, airing in DMV lobbies statewide, banners strung along main city thoroughfares and even sent out as postcards to participants.

Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) helped spread the word about CSAM by publishing one of this year’s themed posters in Active Family Magazine, you can take a look at this month’s issue here: http://www.activefamilymag.com/current-issue/.

Official poster of CSAM 2016 in Spanish

In addition to taking the child support awareness message through mainstream mediums, California’s child support program has been engaging in events throughout the community to raise awareness of how much child support can influence a child’s future. 

On Thursday, August 4th, Imperial County DCSS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Workforce Development Office to create opportunities for those parents who are experiencing problems fulfilling their child support obligations due to unemployment. Workforce development will work with the parent owing child support to obtain job training and prepare them to find permanent employment, putting them in a position to be able to support their children and their families for the long-term. This partnership has the potential to lift generations of children out of poverty and truly shape their futures. Imperial also opened up an initiative during the month of August to specifically help those whose licenses have been suspended due to not paying child support, read more in the Imperial Valley Press here.

In Kings County, two DCSS employees designed and created a CSAM display near the Kings County Board of Supervisors chamber area. The display will be seen by all those who visit the building throughout the month of August.

CSAM 2016 display at Kings County Board of Supervisors Chamber Area

On Friday, August 5th, the San Joaquin County DCSS hosted a National CSAM block party that, as reported by the Stockton Record, brought together vendors, county agencies and community agencies such as Catholic charities, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, Head Start and San Joaquin General Hospital. Local radio stations KJOY and The Bull handed out awards when guests spun a prize wheel and kids participated in a coloring contest with a winning prize of $25.

San Joaquin County DCSS Assistant Director Regina Martin participated in a local radio interview and read the official CSAM 2016 radio PSA on the air. Take a listen to the interview and PSA here.

Tulare County DCSS mailed approximately 3,500 postcards to participants who had remained in compliance for the last three months. A Tulare County DCSS team member shared that she saw a post on Facebook with a picture of the postcard and the message, "Look at what I got in the mail from Child Support for making my payments on time!"

"Tulare County DCSS focuses on providing excellent customer service," said Marie Waite Personnel Services Officer II. "This specific effort was to display appreciation to our participants who consistently help shape their children's future." 

These are just some of the highlights of the tremendous outreach efforts by local and regional child support agencies for CSAM 2016 so far. Many other counties have found innovative and creative ways of reaching out to child support program participants and families across California to remind parents, your support shapes your child’s future.

Stay tuned for recaps of even more CSAM 2016 events.

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By: Dana Simas

Communications Director

CA. Dept. of Child Support Services

Napa County Brings Child Support "Home"

On August 6, Napa County DCSS held its fifth annual CSAM event in partnership with Home Depot. The event, held annually on the first weekend in August, provides kids the opportunity to don their kid-sized aprons provided by Home Depot and open their imaginations and get their hands dirty with creative projects.

This year, the kids made small wooden skateboards with wheels while others made pencil boxes for the upcoming school year, all materials were provided by Home Depot for the event.

Napa County DCSS provided the kids with raffle tickets for two lucky winners to receive fully-stocked backpacks just in time for the new school year.

“It’s a very familial event that brings together a lot of important aspects for children,” said Karin Castaneda, Staff Services Manager at Napa County DCSS. “I really thank our staff who enthusiastically worked the Saturday event.”

In addition to the Home Depot event, Napa County DCSS made an appearance at the National Night Out on August 2nd, Latino Outreach event in partnership with Univision as well as a CSAM Community Fair on August 6th.

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By: Dana Simas

Communications Director

CA. Dept. of Child Support Services

San Diego Child Support Serves Homeless Veterans and Makes it On the Big Screen

In San Diego County, DCSS participated in a three-day “Stand Down” event hosted by Veterans Village of San Diego near Balboa Park where DCSS reviewed more than 500 applications and assisted 38 people with their cases according to the San Diego County News Center. The Stand Down event is a three-day opportunity for homeless veterans to receive assistance in addressing health, hunger, legal or warrant problems including receiving free legal assistance and modifying child support orders. 

A homeless veteran on the right is counseled by an attorney at Child Support Court.

“(San Diego) DCSS’s commitment to enhancing community partnerships allows us to look at our participants holistically and collaborate with them to find a resolution unique to their situation,” said Anne Kelly, Communications Manager for San Diego DCSS.

San Diego County DCSS has also partnered with the San Diego Padres major league baseball team for a unique way to reach the thousands of families that attend baseball games at Petco Park. Throughout the month of August the San Diego Padres will air one of the CSAM-themed posters on one of the park’s jumbotrons. 

“We are fortunate to have several great community partners, such as the San Diego Padres, who help us promote the positive effect we have on our children’s future,” said San Diego DCSS Assistant Director, Steve Lujan. “Baseball is a sport that brings families together and for the last several years the Padres helped promote our brand by displaying positive messaging about child support on their scoreboard between innings throughout the month of August.”

The new entrance to the National City Child Support Services Department Office

Earlier this year San Diego DCSS celebrated the dedication of their new building in National City. The repurposed building, now called the South Region Live Well Center at National City, now houses San Diego DCSS, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Family Resources and Department of Aging. Clients will be able to enjoy a “one-stop” shop of services for child support, enrolling in Affordable Care Act healthcare, applying for CalFresh to put food on the table, find in-home care and veterans can get help with the federal benefits they’ve earned.These services are provided year-round.

“Child Support Awareness month is recognized in San Diego each year during the month of August to focus on the importance of providing financial support for children,” said San Diego DCSS Director Jeff Grissom. “It also recognizes the great child support professionals in San Diego and the responsible parents who are committed to making a difference in the lives of children emotionally and financially.”

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By: Dana Simas

Communications Director

CA. Dept. of Child Support Services