Episode 4: Impact on the Community

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.