March 20, 2024
Child Support Services Newsletter February 2024 Welcome to the San Bernardino County Child Support…
News and Articles
Director’s Spotlight
Did you know that it has been more than 20 years since DCSS moved from the District Attorney’s Office to being part of the San Bernardino County Human Services departments? As a Human Services organization, our focus is on the well-being of the entire family, rather than being punitive. Many stories and misinformation have helped keep the stigma of the child support program around for a long time. We have been taking steps to increase the awareness and to change the long-standing negative perception of the program.
August is Child Support Awareness Month! During the month of August, we highlight our services and share the ways we are here to support the families in our diverse community.
Our success depends on the hard work, passion, and dedication that our department brings to help moms, dads, and parental guardians maneuver the child support system.
DCSS invites parents to attend events aimed at creating awareness of the department’s mission of making a positive difference in the lives of children, as well as provide access to multiple resources to help build stronger and healthier families. “From where you are to where you want to be…let us help you get there.”
During Child Support Awareness Month, we have various activities and content to share while celebrating child support. We are very excited to bring back ‘Mondays at DCSS’. During Mondays with DCSS, the department will host representatives from various social service agencies and community partners at all three DCSS offices in Loma Linda, Victorville and Ontario.
While child support customers wait to meet with their case workers, staff from other County departments and agencies can provide information and services to their families. This year, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, San Bernardino Valley College, and Inland SoCal United Way 211 will be onsite to provide information.
In addition, ‘DCSS in Your Neighborhood’ will return with DCSS staff traveling to Crestline at the Lake Gregory Education Center, 24740 San Moritz Way on Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer questions and provide information on child support services.
DCSS is partnering with the San Bernardino County Probation Department to hold informational workshops hosted at regional Day Reporting Centers (DRC) throughout San Bernardino County during the month of August click here for more details.
DCSS assists families by establishing orders for child and medical support, establishing parentage, enforcing support orders, and providing resources for families. DCSS is focused on helping the whole family with all aspects of services to gain self-sufficiency. Parents who need assistance with child support are encouraged to enroll to begin the process using the Simplified Enrollment Process: Simple Application.
New Updates to Help You
New changes to the Compromise of Arrears Program (COAP)! The COAP program is now, the Child Support Debt Reduction Program.
This program provides the same opportunity for parents paying support to remove past due Child Support balances (also known as arrears) owed to the government.
The benefits of the new program are:
Our goal remains to assist both parents in meeting the financial needs of their children.
The Debt Reduction Program is another way we can work together to remove barriers and find workable solutions that help you be a Super-Hero to your children.
If you are interested in participating in the Debt Reduction Program and would like more information, please reach out to your caseworker.
COVID-19 UPDATES
MONTHLY MYTH BUST
MYTH: The Child Support agency is under the District Attorney’s office.
TRUTH: The Child Support Program is no longer part of the District Attorney’s Office and hasn’t been in over 20 years. Because child support is established through the legal system, it is often misunderstood. Each county has established a Department of Child Support Service which helps those in the community by strengthening families.
News
SB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS RECEIVES 7 AWARDS
The award-winning programs in the six district were highlighted. Those critical to each program’s success spoke about their challenges and accomplishments.
FATHERHOOD STRENGTHENS FAMILIES
San Bernardino Fatherhood has worked to raise awareness about the importance of fathers in healthy families by offering classes and workshops to help men.
CALIFORNIA TO FEED 6.2 MILLION STUDENTS
All 6.2 million public school students will have the option to eat school meals for free, regardless of of their family’s income.
Articles
We are here for you and your family
Our job is to supply the resources needed to help all families, big or small. Our Newsletters contain articles and resources that cover everything from COVID-19 to parenting with disabilities.
Our DCSS Newsletter is designed to give our customers beneficial information and resources. Child Support is here providing a hub for resources that our San Bernardino families can use. Times are tough right now and we are here to help build stronger bonds within families.
