Child Support Awareness Month (CSAM) Recap

Jorlinis Centeno, CA DCSS 

Imperial County 8/1

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors formally proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month at their meeting on August 1st, presenting Imperial County DCSS with the proclamation.

Santa Cruz/San Benito County (8/1 - 8/31)

Santa Cruz and San Benito County DCSS handed out CSAM awareness cards in their offices throughout the month of August.

Imperial County 8/4

Imperial County DCSS partnered with local Spanish newspaper El Sol Del Valle to advertise and raise awareness for CSAM. Flyers were inserted in the paper from Imperial DCSS notifying the public of a special license release program as well as locations/dates for the “Child Support on Wheels” outreach campaign.

San Mateo County 8/10

San Mateo County DCSS handed out 18 “nighttime routine” kits to attendees, containing a Sesame Street healthy eating dinner guide, toothbrush kit and a bedtime story. Staff answered questions about the case opening process and paternity establishment procedures. A free backpack loaded with books and school supplies was raffled off at the end to a lucky attendee.

El Dorado County 8/8

El Dorado County DCSS held a “Spirit Day” to boost enthusiasm among staff for CSAM. Staff came dressed as a fun career professional (other than their own) to go along with the “Give Them Something Great to Imitate” theme.

San Joaquin County (8/1 - 8/31)

San Joaquin County DCSS displayed their annual CSAM banner across the popular “Miracle Mile” in downtown Stockton.

Tulare County 8/14

On August 14th, Tulare County DCSS staff celebrated “Make a Difference Monday” at the Visalia Rawhide game to raise awareness about DCSS services.

Riverside County 8/15

Riverside County DCSS staff has a team of experienced case workers and volunteers that go into the community of Riverside to speak about DCSS services. Through their outreach program and “Parole and Community Team” (PACT), the team presents to parents that have recently been released from prison and are currently on parole. At present, they have 40 volunteers and visit Moreno Valley every third Tuesday of the month and Palm Desert every second Tuesday of the month.

Tulare County 8/16

Tulare County DCSS staff visited the Visalia Library on August 3rd and the Porterville Library on August 16th to raise awareness of the available services offered. Both library events were successful in engaging with the public and sharing services about TCDCSS.

LA County (8/15, 8/16, 8/21, 8/23, 8/24, 8/28)

Los Angeles County DCSS sponsored the Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) and General Relief Opportunity for Work (GROW) workshops on several dates throughout August in support of CSAM in the communities of Carson, South Central LA, Downey, East LA, Metro LA and Pomona.

LA County (8/16, 8/17, 8/23, 8/31)

LA DCSS held several educational seminars for partners and the public to promote CSAM, including visiting America’s Job Centers of California offices in the San Gabriel Valley to present child support workshops for the American Payroll Association and resource workshops for former inmates and ex-offenders, community organizations and local partners.

Eastern Sierra (8/15, 8/16)

Eastern Sierra Child Support agencies from Inyo and Mono County participated in their 5th Back-to-School Backpack Project. The agencies collected monetary donations, binders, papers, pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, colored pencils, rulers, and more! Backpacks were given away on August 15th and 16th at the Bishop City Auditorium on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Ventura 8/15, 8/16

Ventura DCSS staff made educational presentations about obtaining services through DCSS to the inmates of the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.

LA County (8/16, 8/19, 8/26)

Los Angeles County DCSS outreach teams staffed booths at several community resource fairs, including the 37th Annual Government Day Information Fair, the Eastside Connections Multicultural Fair, and the Pomona Ex-Offender and Re-Entry Resource Fair.

LA County 8/26

Even though they held an astounding amount of CSAM events, LA DCSS still found time to throw their 13th annual “Day in The Park” staff picnic.

Sacramento County 8/21

Sacramento County DCSS donated 56 backpacks and more than 1,100 school supplies benefitting children at the Sacramento’s Children’s Home on August 21st.

San Diego County (8/17, 8/24, 8/26, 8/31)

Families in San Diego started enjoying summer movies at various parks throughout the county. San Diego County DCSS placed a 30-second commercial before the movie began on every screening in every park to promote CSAM.

Tulare County 8/22

Tulare County DCSS held their second Resource and Employment Fair in Porterville. The event was hosted at the Employment Development Department (EDD) One–Stop Porterville office and had 13 vendors in attendance, including Eagle Mountain, Foster Farms and San Joaquin College.

At the end of the event 62 customers spoke to the vendors about employment, education and agency resources. Tulare County DCSS also provided a Driver’s License Release/Review table and a Compromise of Arrears Program table.

San Diego County (8/1 - 8/31)

San Diego County DCSS advertised at all Petco Park Padres home games throughout the month of August to raise awareness of child support services.

Kern County 8/24

Kern County DCSS hosted its Annual Employer Workshop on August 24th. More than 80 employers attended and were educated on DCSS employer services, withholding child support, payment options, health insurance and employer partnerships.

San Mateo 8/26

San Mateo County DCSS staff members participated in a “Beach Day Clean Up” to keep beaches clean for the children and families of San Mateo County. The Coyote Point Park rangers provided the clean-up tools, and over six barrels of trash were filled. Staff ended the event with a barbecue!

Fresno County 8/28

Fresno County DCSS coordinated with Mattress Firm for a school supply drive benefitting foster care children throughout Fresno County. On August 28th, the agency dropped off 25 backpacks, 60 glue sticks, 239 erasers, 59 notebooks, 59 packs of crayons, 22 packs of markers, 84 pens, 625 pencils, 400 index cards, and much more!

Riverside County 8/26

Riverside County DCSS held an Open House and Community Resource Fair on August 26th at their two locations in their Riverside and Indio office. The goal was to inform the community about the services DCSS offers.

Madera County 8/30

Madera County DCSS held their Child Support Awareness Career and Resource Fair on August 30th. There were 20 employers and resource tables with a great turnout, many of the employers got upwards of 20 applications.

Monterey County 8/27

Monterey County DCSS provided information about DCSS services at the Día del Trabajador (Labor Day) event on Sunday August 27th at the Patriot Park in Greenfield.

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County CSSD hosted a Backpack/School Supply Giveaway with the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD).  The "WE GOT YOUR BACK” drive came to life with enthusiastic volunteers and a strong presence on social media outlets.