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