CA DCSS Staff Celebrate Each Other in All Staff Picnic

Dana Simas, CA DCSS

On Tuesday, May 23rd, the California Department of Child Support Services (CA DCSS) took time to recognize and congratulate each other at the All Staff Picnic. The event, organized by CA DCSS’ Special Events Team (SET), was held to encourage all CA DCSS staff to get together and network as well as recognize those who have done an exceptional job over the last year.

The event included a delicious barbeque for which staff purchased tickets which also included an entry into a raffle for prizes such as gift cards to Starbucks, Target, and Chili’s, as well as free items at Specialty’s bakery—a favorite treat for CA DCSS staff meetings. Staff, dressed in their cool summer best as the temperatures reached the mid-90s, brought pop-up tents and chairs to the community park just a couple of blocks from CA DCSS headquarters. Given how hot it was, many used spray fans and set up lounge chairs underneath the trees to keep cool.

Despite the heat, many staff members challenged each other at volleyball games, bean bag tosses, water balloon throwing and giant Jenga. After everyone had a chance to eat and mingle the staff gathered around the amphitheater for the Employee Recognition Awards.

Awards were handed out to CA DCSS staff who excelled in their missions. The categories included;
• Excellence in Customer Service—awarded to Mike Foglia with the IT Service Desk
• Program Superhero— awarded to Dinesh Joshi with the Financial Management System Test Team
• Performance Superstar—awarded to the Intergovernmental Services Unit
• Outstanding Leadership—awarded to Leo Black with the Accounting Branch
• Positive Impact—awarded to the Organizational Development and Recruitment Unit as well as the Special Events Team
• Innovator of the Year—awarded to Charlie Jones for modernizing the Systems Development Lifecycle
• Special Director’s Award—awarded to Kim Garcia with the Office of Organizational Change Management