Central Sierra Regional Child Support Helps Create “Magic of the Night” and Raise Child Support Awareness

On Friday, August 5th, the City of Sonora and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce held its annual “Magic of the Night” event focused on family, fun and community support. The event featured a 10-foot “fire-breathing” dragon and bubble blowing by the Fantasy Faire group. The entire downtown Sonora area had the stores open and the streets lined with bands and entertainment, including an appearance by the Central Sierra Regional Child Support Agency.

Organized by Dalaine Heagle, Program Manager with Central Sierra Regional Child Support Agency and two Child Support Supervisors from Tuolumne County, the agency gave away more than 150 balloons with the agency’s name on them.

“Working this event is magical,” said Thom Lacher, Child Support Supervisor with Tuolumne County. “Having the event at night, people are not in a rush, they rather meander up and down the streets seeing and participating in the numerous events that are happening around them. This is why I volunteered for this event.”

The Central Sierra booth had well over 200 adults and 300 kids visit the table to get a balloon, take child support information brochures and nearly half a dozen expressing interest in child support services. The agency also had a Child Support Awareness Month banner hanging over the street on Highway 49 in Angels Camp.

“Children of all ages love balloons,” said Joette Pitcher, Child Support Supervisor with Tuolomne County. “I like volunteering for outreach events  to show the community the “new face” of Child Support. We are friendly, approachable and willing to help them when a need arises.”

The event was enjoyable and light-hearted as the warm weather invited families to let loose and have a little fun. The informal nature of the event also helped lead to some parents who are otherwise intimidated by the child support process, to seek help.

“We had one gentleman who had been avoiding (child support) for years but who came up and admitted it was time to come in and see us,” said Heagle. “I introduced him to his case worker and they were able to discuss services for him.”  

Central Sierra’s leadership and staff regularly participate in local events such as monthly community roundtable meetings with First Five, tribal communities and leaders, mental health advocates, Department of Social Services and the Social Security Administration. The Agency even visits the local state correctional facilities on a frequent basis to educate inmates on the resources available to help them during and after their incarceration.

I have been amazed by the energy and excitement of staff for outreach opportunities such as Magic of the Night. Our team members have considerable interest not only in volunteering for established events such as this one, but also in offering suggestions and ideas on new innovative ways to reach current and potential customers,” said Julie Prado, Deputy Director of Central Sierra Child Support Agency.

Almost all child support agencies in California give a presentation to their County Board of Supervisors during the month of August to showcase the work being done. Because Central Sierra Child Support Agency is a regionalized joint powers authority, the Agency actually presented at four different County Board of Supervisors meetings including Calaveras, Tuolumne, Amador, and Alpine.

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By: Dana Simas

Communications Director

CA. Dept. of Child Support Services