Coffee Break Podcast with RivCoDCSS (Riverside County Child Support Services)

Espresso Shot 1

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) has a special guest this episode, Executive Director at the Community Action Partnership (C.A.P) Riverside, Vince Wrzalinski. This episode explains how Taxes and Child Support are connected. The Department of Child Support receives qualifying tax refunds through a Federal Fund program called the Tax Intercept program (1:30). This program provides an opportunity for Tax filers who are entitled to a tax refund and are behind on Child Support to catch up on Arrears. How this program works is that the Federal Government will send the refund or part of it and apply it on any arrears on Child Support. Although it may seem like a negative step, this truly is an opportunity for customers to catch up with their Child Support arrears. The interest rate on past due Child Support arrears is 10% which is high, getting it paid down is very important. The IRS automatically withholds a refund and sends it to the Department of Child Support under a Federal Regulation (2:00). Our guest Vince explains how a Child Support customer can benefit from the resources provided through C.A.P. Of those resources is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) that is available for people with low to moderate-income under $70k. The (VITA) tax program will get qualifying individuals Taxes done for FREE (3:35). The limitation of forms is that it should be a basic 1040 form, have no business losses, and no rental income. The program operates through volunteers who have been certified by the IRS and have received rigorous training (4:50). RivCoDCSS and C.A.P have established a great partnership where C.A.P tax professionals will be assisting customers in our lobby with their taxes. There are select dates where the V.I.T.A tax Professionals will be in our Riverside and Indio locations this month will be March 12th, 2020 in Indio and March 14th, 2020 in Riverside. C.A.P has 26 locations throughout the County that make it convenient for those who may benefit from their services (5:43). The documents that tax fillers should have handy include; a Government ID, Driver’s License, Social Security cards for all dependents, W2's, 1098 forms, and health insurance forms (6:55). The V.I.T.A tax program end date is April 15th, 2020 with an exception of 2 main offices in Riverside and Indio remaining open. They will also be on-site in our lobby through May 9th, 2020 after Tax Season has ended to assist customers beyond the deadline (8:40). Overall, there are many benefits customers may take advantage of from the established partnership with RivCoDCSS and C.A.P.

Riverside County Community Action Partnership C.A.P

www.capriverside.org

(951) 955-4900

Riverside County Child Support

https://www.riversidechildsupport.com/

866-901-3212

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) has a special guest this season finale, our very own Director, Kimberly Britt. Our Director starts by giving us background on how she began working in the field of child support 21 years ago. Kimberly started her journey as a Child Support Officer in Los Angeles County (2:40). She eventually promoted to Assistant Director for Riverside County in 2016, and in 2018 she officially became Director (4:00). Child Support Services started as a very enforcement focused program close in style to law enforcement. In 2000 the department became a social service program moving away from the enforcement focus style (4:30). Regardless of the role a person plays in a child support case, our department is here to help without taking sides. Our department is here to guide parents and guardians throughout the complicated process of supporting their children. Our Director mentions that typically fathers are the non-custodial parent at 81% of our customer base (14:23). Without the parent making payments, there can be no check delivered since the program is 100% funded by the parents (15:02). The department cannot make decisions as it pleases it is highly regulated to follow the letter of the law (18:05). Although the program is mandated, our staff is open and available to answer any questions customers may have. The department understands the process is complicated, and in a dream world, Kim would make changes to help facilitate the process for our customers (27:30). When a customer has any doubts or feels overwhelmed, they are highly encouraged to reach out to our staff. Overall, the entire agency is interested in looking for creative ways to deliver service in a way that will benefit customers and their children.

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) takes on a challenge this episode by aiming for transparency within the department. This episode provides feedback we receive directly from the customers that we serve. We take on the challenge by responding to these comments in hopes of shedding light on the customer experience we strive for (1:00). The department is aware that a negative experience may be inevitable, however, one bad experience will not represent the entire department. The department looks at the negative comments as room for improvement to provide the customer experience we strive for. Comments regarding case manager performance were made by customers who are not content with service. Case managers are responsible for cases daily but must be careful about providing any form of legal advice (7:20). Our department is responsible for providing information for customers as well as the options they may have. A customer is welcome to step in and engage in the case that way a partnership is established between the customer and their case manager. Another concern mentioned is a customer not being informed of a pending court date. A suggestion mentioned is to ask the case manager what information may be missing in a case so that our case manager can provide the information desired (16:05). A positive comment received states that the department and their Attorneys are organized, efficient, caring, and understanding. This is important to our department because these are our values as we strive to provide the best customer service. All feedback is welcome and highly encouraged, no comments go unnoticed.

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) provides an analysis of the positive impacts the department has on the community that it serves. This episode also informs the public of the benefits for children when both parents are present and involved in their lives (1:45). The child support program helps many families and lives. Riverside County directly impacts 82,000 families, and nationally 14.7 million children are served by the child support program, as a State California serves 1.2 million children (4:10). Statewide and Nationally, we help 1 in 5 children in the United States, bringing the department of child support services to rank #3 among all programs/services in the U.S. that help children (5:05). The department of child support is paid by  parents, which makes it the most cost-effective program since it does not cost the taxpayer money (5:30). Child support is one of the most extensive anti-poverty programs in the United States, according to the Office of Child Support Enforcement; the program lifts more than 1 million people out of poverty annually. Riverside County alone has collected $168 million in child support. The total amount collected is significant since 17% of families in Riverside's income are below the poverty level. Therefore, the income received from child support serves families a means to purchase groceries, gas, childcare, and other necessities (8:40). Aside from helping children and families we serve, we also have an impression on the community by being available at different locations to meet their various needs. RivCoDCSS makes itself open to the public by a variety of different methods ensuring we are available - even during the weekend (11:00). Overall, our department has a significant impact on our community and the lives we serve.

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) provides an overview of the legal aspect of child support in their “Legal Corner”. An explanation of how the Department of Child Support Services was created is provided as well as the legal authority it has (1:05). The department is an independent agency separate from the Court and the District Attorney (2:10). It operates as a local agency under a larger state agency that oversees the department’s activity. When attending court, it is important to be aware of the role each person plays in the court hearing (2:50). Parents can make decisions on child support cases if no public assistance is involved (4:30). The child support Attorney does not represent the parents in court, they are there to represent the department. Family Law Facilitators are available for free legal advice, customers can contact them for an appointment (8:10). Customers will learn what to expect on a court day along with steps on how to prepare for their court hearing (10:30). Information on dress code and childcare are provided, parents need to be prepared ahead of time (12:30). Parents may reach an agreement before their court date, in this case, parents will come in and sign an agreement. This is referred to as a stipulation which is a signed agreement that will facilitate the process and help avoid a court hearing (14:00). Parents living out of state can contact the department (RivCoDCSS) will do everything in their power to make different arrangements.

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) provides an overview of three major components. Beginning from case opening, monitoring case, and case closure (1:20). The different ways of how a customer can open a case are provided along with the types of services the department offers. The first step in opening a child support case is establishing paternity to collect child support and enforce medical support orders (2:50). Parentage is important because it is the starting point in the process. Child support cannot be established without establishing the legal parents of the child (3:30). The decision on the amount of child support collected is the product of a court order to collect that amount of support. The department is here to assist parents and ensure the agreement is being followed. RivCoDCSS will also assure the entire process flows smoothly for the customer throughout their case lifetime. When there are changes in circumstances, income, or job status court orders are looked at for what is called a modification. A modification simply means a change or adjustment to the amount of support provided (10:55). Information on case closure is also provided such as when the customer may close a case or when the child reaches adulthood and past due balance has yet to be paid (12:08). Our next podcast will be the “Legal Corner”. The episode will cover the functions of court and what to expect.

Riverside County Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) provides an overview in this episode on facts vs. myths to help the public understand what the department does and who we help (0:55). This episode informs the public of services the department offers equally to everyone regardless of the role they play in a child support case (1:40). A circumstance mentioned is when the paying parent loses their job and may think they are not obligated to continue paying support. The obligation to pay support does not stop automatically this is where (RivCoDCSS) informs customers on what options may be available to them (3:20). Our department is here for support during different life circumstances available through many different communication methods that fit a customer’s lifestyle (4:33). Parents have some control in deciding the amount of support that is to be paid depending on whether public assistance is being received (5:10). The State of California has a Statue that determines what guideline Child Support should be for families (5:35). Child Support is court-ordered; therefore, communication is important (RivCoDCSS) aims to help parents stay on track of payments (10:00). Automatic payments are convenient for both the paying parent as well as the custodial parent to avoid late payments (10:30). There are a variety of options available to customers and the Department of Child Support is here to help families (14:00). Our next podcast will be a flyover of the major components of a child support case.