Over the last 28 years, Kellie Sweeney, Manager of the Case Management Post Order Division at the Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services (Contra Costa DCSS) has grown alongside the evolution of California’s child support program. Having worked in the courtroom, intake, enforcement, and training, Kellie has experienced the program changes from a unique perspective.
Desiring to help her community and help people create a better life, Kellie began working for child support in 1989 as a family support officer. When the child support program separated from the district attorney’s office in 1999, Kellie states, “there was a whole different view on how we were going to do things. The switch was awesome.”
Along with physically changing her location, Kellie experienced a lot of technology changes at Contra Costa DCSS as a result of her innovative director, from using multiple monitors before most counties adopted the practice, to system access using thumb readers in place of passwords. All were major changes for Kellie. When she first started, staff did not have personal computers, only a shared computer terminal that required lead permission to use.
Although Kellie readily adjusted to the massive changes, her passion sparked changes that resulted in the use of MoneyGram in the California child support program statewide. While strolling through a grocery market, Kellie spotted customers inserting coins into a machine to receive bills in exchange and noticed there was an option to donate to charity. Kellie thought, “what an awesome idea!”
Realizing the potential of the machine for child support payments, Kellie contacted the company who owned the machine.
She knew the Oklahoma Department of Child Support Services used MoneyGram already and was able to get the ball rolling from there. In late Summer of 2014, Contra Costa DCSS piloted the MoneyGram project, accepting child support payments in retail locations for the first time. After proven success, MoneyGram payment collection became available throughout California at various retail locations.
“I really feel like that’s one of the biggest things that I was involved in and it’s had a significant impact,” Kellie said. “I love the idea that people who live in the cash economy do want to take care of their kids. They may not be able to have a bank account, so it’s really awesome that we are able to serve them now.”
On October 31st, Kellie is parting from Contra Costa DCSS and will be filling a newly created position at Solano County DCSS as a Child Support Program Manager on November 6th. Her two daughters are nearing college, and her new career path will have her working closer to home to support her children’s educational aspirations.
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