Tehama County Department of Child Support Services Gives Away School Backpacks at Homeless Empowerment Event

The Tehama County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) recently participated in a one-day homeless empowerment event to help educate low-income and homeless families about their local child support programs. Two Tehama DCSS staff volunteered their time to participate and the entire department pooled money to purchase two backpacks full of school supplies to be given away to selected event participants.

The event, called Live Inspired For Tomorrow (LIFT) connects low-income and homeless families with critical services such as free eye exams, dental screenings, mental health services, medical assistance including immunizations, wound care and breast exams, clothing, blankets and housing information.

“Tehama DCSS is committed to serving families, and sometimes that means going where they are instead of waiting for them to walk through our doors,” Tehama DCSS Director Tonya Moore said.
“The LIFT event has been evolving over the past three years and we felt it was a great fit for outreach.”

Tehama DCSS Child Support Specialists Max Hemping and Laura Burlison provided the outreach, speaking to more than 100 people who had questions regarding establishment of paternity, driver’s license releases, interstate concerns, opening a case, free legal advice and a lot of “what if” scenarios.

Tehama DCSS Child Support Specialists Max Hemping and Laura
Burlison participate in outreach event

“The demeanor and the look on people’s faces were much more optimistic than the looks we get when in the intimidating environment of court,” Hemping said.

This was Hemping's first outreach event, and he is passionate about changing the public's perception of DCSS from an agency that only goes after fathers for money to one that serves the best interests of children.

“We want to put in people’s minds that we have no ‘ruin your life’ button,” Hemping said. “We really are doing our best to keep families from falling further into poverty. I put myself in my customer’s shoes and try to provide the customer service I would expect to get.”

The two winners of the backpacks donated by Tehama DCSS staff were children that were extremely thankful for and excited about their gifts.

“We were really hoping these backpacks would go to families that would really need them and it appears that this is what happened,” Hemping said. “The two kids couldn’t wait to rummage through their prizes.”

###

Dana Simas
CA Dept of Child Support Services