By Baljit Atwal, Director, Stanislaus County DCSS & CSDA Vice President of Board of Directors It has been an amazing opportunity to work together on this document.   I would like to add a huge thank you to the workgroups who made the report possible.  Within a few short weeks (about 5 weeks total), the members of Phase 2/Operational Efficiencies workgroup came together, brainstormed on ideas and developed those ideas into detailed narrative. The narrative was then analyzed, with additional information collected where needed, and then further edited by our editor-in-chief Vic Rea.  All this was being done on a flow basis and being shared with Irene and Nan at DCSS…

2019 Child Support Training Conference & Expo was a success! Here are a few viewpoints from some of our Scholarship recipients: Thank you kindly for giving me and my department at DCSS San Mateo County the opportunity to attend the 2019 Annual Child Support Training Conference & Expo. As being a scholarship award winner and first time attendant I would like to say that I enjoyed the 3 days there. At first I was not sure what to expect but after attending the first day workshops I obtained a better understanding fairly quickly. I began my day at the workshop “Your Money, Your Goals: Budget Tools Training” which I personally…

Who’s going where? This is a great opportunity to let us know who is promoting and or joining your organization. These are their new positions. Would you like to let us know who is moving and where? Send an email to Chelsea Robinson to share in our next issue of OneVoice. BUTTE Aaron Fultz Child Support Specialist II Andrea Abbott Child Support Specialist II Angelica Alencastro Child Support Specialist II Asya Chalmers Child Support Specialist I Ingrid Almaraz Child Support Specialist I Jennifer Lawrence Office Specialist Kelly Winfrey Child Support Specialist I Lelsie Lopez Child Support Specialist I Margaret Lane Child Support Specialist I Marion Reeves Assistant Director Ruth Diaz…

We are looking forward to holding this year’s Leadership Institute at the Granlibakken on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe in Placer County. This year we will build on the experiences of our retreat last year to UC Santa Cruz where we engaged in our very first Ropes Course experience in an effort to step out of (and 100 feet above) our comfort zone! Those who have attended in recent years can attest that this week is an invaluable investment in leaders with courses focused on authenticity, trust, culture, and coaching. We also focus on leadership vision, strategic planning, the budget, and a look into the future of our program.…

By James Murray, Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) May gives us an annual opportunity to recognize the unwavering service of current and former military members and their families. There are multiple observances this month, ranging from Armed Forces Day to Military Spouse Appreciation Day. In recognition of their service, we want you to know about OCSE’s Veterans and Military Liaison Network (VMLN), a tool we use to support the veteran and military families within the child support caseload. What is the Network? The VMLN is a group of child support professionals across the country who are invested in improving child support services for veterans, military members, and their families.…

By Colin Anderson, Lead Attorney, Yolo County DCSS On Monday, April 29, 2019, the Child Support Directors Association (CSDA) through the organization of Legal Practices Committee (LPC) Co-Chair Gina Johnston, held its annual Managing Attorney Forum. This is a fantastic opportunity for Managing Child Support Attorneys from all over the state to get together and discuss a multitude of issues impacting the program. Speaking at the forum was Judicial Council’s Anna Maves who provided an update on Court funding for Title IV-D courts. Chief Counsel for the California Department of Child Support Services Kristen Donadee also spoke and provided an update on legal and policy issues. In addition, various CSDA…

Regional Director, North Coast Regional DCSS (Humboldt & Trinity Counties) When I think of the influences that have shaped me, I think of my parents. I think of my feisty, big-hearted, underdog of a mother. The youngest of eight, my image of her is that of a scrawny kid, dukes always up, tenaciously standing up to six older brothers. Always poised to “fight the power” be it big brothers or “big brother,” she was once offered a job by Ralph Nader at his watchdog agency. Instead, she became an entrepreneur. A working single parent, she insured my sister and I had an excellent education despite her economic inability to provide…