By Lori Cruz, Director, San Joaquin County DCSS Eleven employees of the San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services became graduates of its leadership program on April 10, 2017. The eleven new graduates presented proposals, to address actual work challenges,as part of their graduation ceremony. The leadership program was first implemented in 2016 to address succession planning and also to provide resources to program participants to assist them with realizing their ambitions and career goals. Each leadership candidate must first submit a professional statement of interest with resume and supporting recommendation from his/her supervisor. After an initial screening, the candidates respond to survey question designed to assess leadership potential.…

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 email to Stacy Gray to share in our next issue of OneVoice. BUTTE COUNTY DCSS Jan Hinshaw – Child Support Specialist Julie Freitas – Child Support Specialist COLUSA COUNTY DCSS Sandra Padilla – Specialist I EL DORADO COUNTY DCSS Suzette Lucich   – Retired Marcia Patrick   – Retired KERN COUNTY DCSS Bernave Garcia – Accountant III Mildred Aldan – Office Services Assistant Jay Smith – Retired Denise Powell – Retired Donnell Haub –…

Marissa de Almeida and Ron Ladage, 2017 Legal College Co-Chairs The 2017 CSDA Legal College has an exciting and innovative new line-up this year starring excellent trainings for Child Support attorneys and legal staff alike.  The CSDA Legal College will be held October 16-19, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel.  We are planning an interactive event in which audience participation is not just encouraged but is a vital part of the learning process.  Through the use of modern technology we will open up a broad dialogue among colleagues throughout the State about legal best practices, recent changes to law and policy, and important networking opportunities to give attorneys resources…

Chair: Lisa Dugan Purpose: To provide meaningful content and discussion around current leadership philosophy, practices, challenges, and applications within the child support program Who Should Attend: Directors, Executive Staff, Managerial Staff, Supervisors, and staff in “lead” positions that are your up and coming leaders of tomorrow* Cost: $225, including lunch Tuesday – Thursday When: August 21 – 25 Where: Riverside LCSA, lodging at The Mission Inn   *content directed at staff with some leadership experience  

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! Attendees: Don’t forget to visit them in our Exhibitor Hall. PREMIUM SPONSORS           EXHIBITORS   OTHER SPONSORS

By Amelia Rosas, Section Manager – Sonoma County DCSS At Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) we kick off every Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) with a new theme to accompany our new Performance Plan. Developing a theme and using it throughout the year gives us a fresh way to work on the Performance Plan each year. We have experienced our staff to be more engaged and enthusiastic in their approach to work as a result of this fun program. The theme and activities are developed by the Theme Committee, which is comprised of approximately 10 members ranging from our Director to support staff. The main purpose of the…

March 1, 2017 – A Child’s Well-Being…It Takes a Family By Kim Cagno, Director San Mateo Department Child Support Services “We live in a world where all families are stable, healthy and self-sufficient.”    -Unknown On March 1, 2017, child support professionals, policy makers, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and health and human service agencies came together for the 2017 CSDA Children & Families Policy Symposium to discuss an array of topics and explore solutions toward improving the lives of children and families in California and nationwide. Almost 250 attendees packed the Hilton Arden West in Sacramento, where nearly half were stakeholders outside of child support. A world where all families are…

By Natalie Dillon, Director, Yolo County DCSS During the January CSDA Board and Membership meetings I talked about a focus on strategic alignment for the Association. Strategic alignment is the process and the result of linking an organization’s structure and resources with its strategy and business environment. What that means is that CSDA will be moving toward better defining the roles and responsibilities of the Board, committees, and membership. Each play an important part in creating a high functioning organization. Strategic alignment enables higher performance by optimizing the contributions of people and processes to accomplish defined objectives, meanwhile minimizing inefficiencies and misdirection of effort and resources. This is done by…