Los Angeles County Child Support Services Participates in Spanish-Language Radio Drive Time Show

Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department (CSSD) received wide exposure for its services in Southern California on September 22 during a live, call-in program on Radio 1020 AM, KTNQ.

Listeners from the large Spanish-speaking community in the Southland were able to ask questions live about child support and have them answered by CSSD Staff Attorney Norma De Gruccio.  Ms. De Gruccio was a guest on “Rumbo A Casa” (On the Way Home) hosted by Gustavo Vargas during prime drive listening time from 6-6:30 p.m.

“We are grateful for these unique opportunities to connect with the diverse multilingual communities which are found in our service area in Los Angeles County. This is where we need to be,” said LA CSSD Director Dr. Steven Golightly who strongly supports the Department’s community outreach. “It was gratifying to hear parents get their questions answered about child support. The host did a wonderful job of creating a positive exchange about the services we offer.”

A number of fathers were the first to call when the phone lines opened. One parent calling about his past due child support debt was advised that he could take his case to court. A mother who called in said her son was a victim of mistaken identity on a case but was afraid to come forward. Ms. De Gruccio advised the mother that her son needed to come into the Department to clear this up.
One father paying support stated he hadn’t been able to see his children in five years. Although Ms. De Gruccio informed the listener that CSSD doesn’t handle custody issues, she informed him that he could pursue assistance from the Family Law Facilitator’s office in the court.

Because of the listener response, KTNQ producer Yesica Lopez expressed interest in have CSSD return in the fall for a longer, call-in program.  KTNQ has a large following in the Spanish-speaking community as a Univision network-owned radio station and the Spanish-speaking outlet for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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By: Al Reyes

LA CSSD Outreach Services Division Chief

Child Support Professionals See the Future at Office 2020 Exposition 2016

On Wednesday and Thursday, August 24th and 25th, the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) showcased the future of child support technology during its “Office 2020” Exposition.

The event brought together child support professionals and business and technology experts and vendors throughout California. Vendors engaged Expo visitors with displays of the latest hardware, software and business solutions that will further enhance customer service and improve the efficiency of California’s Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) offices.  


Over the two-day event, more than 100 child support professionals attended presentations and demonstrations from representatives from AT&T, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, InFocus, NWN Corporation, Microsoft, RMG Networks, Technology Integration Group and Verizon.

“It is an opportunity for the LCSAs to connect with DCSS and let us know the visions of the future for their office,” said Sumi Smith, DCSS Assistant Chief Information Officer. “The goal is to move more into the technology of the future.”

Vendors were invited to bring their latest and greatest technology and services to encourage attendees to focus on the future, and the enhancements new technology will provide.

In anticipation of the upcoming LCSA Technology and Equipment Modernization Project, known as “Tech Refresh,” dedicated rooms were provided for Hewlett-Packard and Dell to demonstrate their latest desktop equipment. Surveys were conducted to solicit feedback from the participants. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a presentation and breakout session on bridging the generational gap between the child support workforce and the customer base. Discussions conducted under “Personalized Service” included, the customer and the community office, the high-functioning office and the customer experience.

“We came to see all of the technology opportunities there are for us to do our best work,” said Marcus Mitchell, Director of Kern County DCSS. “It’s great to see all of the different options from the vendors and start to see the vision for what we can do with new technology.”

Following the Exposition, the next steps for DCSS are to analyze the survey results to gain a clearer understanding of the technical and business requirements for the LCSAs.  The valuable feedback will be incorporated into the planning for the Tech Refresh project.

“I enjoyed the morning brainstorming session, it’s nice to get outside the routine stuff we do and get the opportunity to dream big about the future for child support,” said Don Semon, Director of El Dorado LCSA.

With the success of the event, plans will be made for the Exposition to be held on a recurring basis in the future. 

The event was organized by DCSS IT staff who should be recognized for their dedication and hard work in making the DCSS Office 2020 Exposition a huge success. Organizers included Viki Gibbs-Lanzaro, Paul Bayliss, Tim Carr-Lovato, Ashlie Curtin, Melody Maduli, Dexter Thomas, Glenda Muschetto, Anne Kwan, Pam Frye, Stacie Davis, Raymond Eddy, Sabrina Sorenson, DCSS IT Service Desk staff, DCSS Statewide Applications Service Desk staff, Catherine Lanzaro, Anne Allen, Travis Totten, Amber Hardeman, Anthony Blue and Shannon Zornes-Cunningham. 

A video recap of the event is available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/FronW-UJOsc

Stanislaus County Celebrates Child Support Awareness Month on National Night Out

On Tuesday, August 2, 2016, the Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) participated in a city-wide event, “Modesto National Night Out” in recognition and celebration of Child Support Awareness Month (CSAM). 

Other participants included: Parent Resource Center; West Modesto Neighborhood Collaborative; Stanislaus County Health Services Agency; Girl Scouts of America and many more.

Stanislaus DCSS had more than 100 visitors stop by their booth, which included a bean bag toss, stickers and candy for the children. 

Stanislaus DCSS staff spoke with parents, answered general questions and provided education and information on the many services the child support program provides to families in the community.

Several people Stanislaus DCSS spoke to had case-specific concerns, wherein staff contacted them the very next business day to help resolve their issues. 

Customers shared they were very appreciative of SCDCSS for being a positive and active participant in community events and for providing fun activities for children, along with being available to answer questions and share information in their neighborhood.

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By: Baljit Atwal

Acting Director, Stanislaus County DCSS

Stanislaus County Child Support Holds Workshop for Employers

On Tuesday, August 16, 2016, the Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) hosted an employer workshop to help employers navigate their requirements in complying with child support owed by employees.

Stanislaus DCSS hosted the event to provide local employers practical instruction on processing Income Withholding Orders (IWOs) which is an order served on employers which requires them to garnish or withhold an employee’s wages for payment of child support.

Employers were also provided information on National Medical Support Notices (NMSNs), a two-part notice sent to employers from a local child support agency. Its purpose is to ensure that children receive health care coverage when it's available and required as part of a child support order.

There was also information available to support employers such as how to file an IWO electronically and reporting new hires and independent contractors.  

Stanislaus DCSS’s primary goal in hosting the event was to establish direct contact and build valuable relationships with employers in the community that employ parents who owe child support in Stanislaus County.

A total of 19 employers and 33 staff attended, as well as staff and representatives from other local child support agencies in surrounding regions.

The workshop gave attendees an opportunity to network, meet representatives of Stanislaus DCSS and the California State DCSS. It also gave employers the opportunity to ask questions to help them better understand their role in the child support program.

The employers were provided resource guides such as: Employers Quick Reference Guide, New Hire Reporting and Updating Information, CA DCSS Employer Handbook and many more useful resources.

Evaluations by the attendees collected after the event reflected that participants were very thankful to Stanislaus DCSS for hosting the event and would like to see the workshop offered on an annual basis. 

“The success of this workshop is a direct reflection of the commitment, creativity, and energy of the Stanislaus DCSS Employer Workshop Committee comprising of Tina von Stade, Michael Amarillas, Gaila Brown, Elisa Diaz, Calina Him, Margret Holmes, and Deborah Shindler,” said Baljit Atwal, Acting Director of Stanislaus DCSS. “The workshop will become a regular part of our outreach program.”

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Ventura County Child Support Donates Backpacks and School Supplies to Local Foster Youth

Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) got into the "Back-to-School" spirit by collecting and donating items to the local foster youth agency.

In total, Ventura DCSS collected 21 backpacks and lots of miscellaneous school supplies on behalf of CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Ventura County, a volunteer organization that serves local foster youth.

CASA is matched with foster youth in Ventura County and states it has four basic responsibilities to the child with whom he/she is matched. To be the child’s voice in court, to investigated and report on what is in the child’s best interests, advocate for the child and be a stable and consistent adult in the child’s life.

“What an amazing group of volunteers!” Said Rose Schwab, Interim Director of Ventura DCSS.

CASA will be distributing all of the collected donations to the children served by CASA and will help provide a great start to their school year with new school supplies.

“This was our first year participating in a backpack collection and though we had a late start, that didn’t stop (Ventura DCSS) staff from generously donating much needed school supplies,” Schwab said. “We look forward to participating next year and plan to get an early start.”


For more information on CASA, check out the PDF here: CASA of Ventura County

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By: Rose Schwab
Interim Director, Ventura County DCSS

Madera County Helps Community Connect with Jobs at First Career and Resource Fair

On the last day of August, Madera County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) held its very first Career and Resource Fair to help connect community members with local employers.

The event hosted 20 vendors from employers, training programs, health department representatives and Energy Savings Programs and connected approximately 60 members of the community. At least two of those who attended the job and resource fair participated in final interviews, and both are likely to land the jobs.

The Madera DCSS also had the local McDonalds attend the fair, at the end of the day the representative said he had three applicants that he is sure will be hired. 

Representatives from a local temporary staffing agency said they received some impressive resumes and believe they will find work for the applicants quickly.

Attendees also had the opportunity to learn about lost-cost energy savings through the electric company. 

Madera DCSS also provided opportunities for attendees to connect with employers who couldn’t attend the employment fair by providing two computers for attendees to submit online applications.

“We are very proud that in the three-hour event we were able to help members of our community,” Sarah Honeycutt, Deputy Director of Madera DCSS said. “We look forward to doing it again next year for Child Support Awareness Month.”

Child Support Awareness Month (CSAM) is recognized during the month of August every year. Check out more CSAM stories on the InsideDCSS blog.


For more photos of the event, check out Madera DCSS's Facebook photo album here: http://bit.ly/2cd9HHL

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By: Sarah Honeycutt

Deputy Director, Madera County DCSS