DEC20JAN21 DPSS Newsletter

DPSSNEWS

Director’s Holiday Message 2 Ashley Homestore Delivers Beds 3 Social Worker Championed by Tribes 4 Drive Through Jobseekers Connect to Employers in Desert 5 Moreno Valley Family Makes New Traditions 6 Scouts Join Effort to Distribute Thousands of Masks 7 Feeling Under the Weather? Stay Home! 8 Social Workers Deliver Gifts to Transitional Foster Youth 9

DEC20 | JAN21 VOL1

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A Season of Gifts: A Season of Giving

Greetings: With a new year fast approaching, many of us are eager to close the chapter on 2020. It’s understandable. This year has reminded us how vulnerable we all are to a rapidly changing environment. Importantly, we are reminded of the need to adapt and progress in a positive direction in the face of challenges. For many of us, these challenges and reminders have renewed our appreciation for intangible gifts such as kindness, empathy, and compassion—the gifts you give every day to children

and adults who turn to DPSS for assistance and safety. You truly have been a beacon of hope in our communities during a most challenging year.

Whatever you plan to do and wherever you plan to be this holiday season, I wish each of you safe celebrations and the gifts of love and good health. Many of us will be celebrating in fewer numbers. Many of us may be alone. Please reach out to one another as a reminder of the powerful connections we share as human beings who essentially share the same dreams for our families. Our vital work to serve and empower vulnerable communities would not be possible without your commitment and passion. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside you in the new year with a spirit of optimism, and hope for peace, joy and healing.

Happy Holidays! Sayori Baldwin Director

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Ashley Homestore Delivers Sweet Dreams and Beds to Riverside County Foster Children Before they’d reached a Riverside warehouse in December, one of 50 new beds coming from Ashley Homestores in Colton had already been set aside for a little boy entering foster care that day. Since 2010 Hope to Dream has gifted more than 100,000 children in North America with twin beds, including the mattress, frame, bedding and pillow with donations from a portion of mattress sales at Ashley Homestores nationwide. “We are proud to support Riverside County foster children and families with beds from this program,” said Kurt Haines, president, Ashley Homestore. “It is our belief that every child deserves a good night’s sleep. Our thanks to Riverside County Faith in Motion for what they do to support these children and for giving them the resources they need to achieve a successful life.” Stacking the boxes of items from Ashley Homestore onto a warehouse dock, Irene Capen said it was no surprise the new beds were already being matched to children in need. “The need is so great,” said Capen, Manager of Faith in Motion. The faith-based collaborative contracts with DPSS to recruit foster families, support foster youth, prevent reentry into the system, and link Riverside County children and families to resources. “Each child in foster care must have a bed of their own. The beds often go to relative placements,” Capen said. “We don’t want the lack of a bed to become an obstacle to helping families stay together.” Social workers and regional managers review the needs of foster children and families and submit agreed-upon requests. Civic groups, businesses, and churches step in to help Faith in Motion answer the needs and strengthen supports for at-risk families, Capen said. “These new beds are a blessing. We are grateful to Ashley Furniture for recognizing how important this simple household item is to the wellbeing of foster children and families,” Capen said. A handful of volunteers from Riverside-area churches joined Capen and the Ashley delivery drivers to unload the cargo.

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Julia Gardner, an outreach coordinator with Immanuel Lutheran Church and Faith in Motion partner, said church volunteers have been making quilts and raising money to help foster youth celebrate the holidays. She hoisted boxes of new beds onto a dolly and pushed the donations into the warehouse. “I do this for the Lord,” Gardner said, as an Ashley Furniture truck rumbled by. “I make time to do this because helping these children and families is what’s in my heart to do.” To learn more about Faith in Motion email Irene Capen at icapen@fosterall.org or call 951-228-5553

Faith-based partners at Wellness Warehouse in Riverside, unload beds donated by Ashley Furniture for foster youth. (Left to right) Gustavo Siordia, Julia Gardner, Irene Capen, Pastor Vince Bueno, Elisha Bueno, and Pastor Otis Coutsoumpos.

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Social Worker Honored as Champion for Native Children and Families

Cameron Galford takes pride in being a professional social worker. In her 27-year career at DPSS, Galford has championed for Native children and families, while working behind the scenes as a powerful agent of change. “Riverside County is a tribally rich region and their voices need to be heard,” said Galford, Social Services Supervisor II, during a recent interview.

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In recognition of her dedication to Riverside County’s tribal communities, Galford was recently presented the 2020 Champion Award from the Tribal Justice Collaborative (TJC) during the Ninth Annual Southern California Judicial Convening Virtual Event. The TJC is guided by a judicial advisory, whose goal is improving outcomes for tribal children and families by promoting best practices for courts and child serving agencies such as DPSS.

“I take pride in being a professional social worker, listening to our tribal partners, interpreting the needs, and then translating those from a systems perspective into what we can do for each child. We do reduce and remove barriers every day. I am vested in my support to work both internally and externally to do the right thing for the children. My intent is purposeful in the journey to maintain and grow the strong foundation we have.” Cameron Galford--Social Services Supervisor II

“Cameron has strengthened collaboration between Riverside County and the tribes since attending the first ICWA training,” said Tom Lidot, Tlingit, tribal liaison for the TJC, who presented Galford with the honor during the virtual ceremony that can be found online. “She is an exemplary example of active commitment.”

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 is a federal law that seeks to keep Native children united with their families and tribal communities. In

Riverside County, there are 126 cases identified as ICWA eligible and 154 that are pending. “But they are all our children,” said Galford. Galford’s love for this underserved population began when attending cultural celebrations and traveling with her parents to different Indian reservations across the U.S. Her passion was further cemented after she completed an internship with Native elders in Washington state. “I knew then I had found the right career path,” she said. In her years of experience with Children Services, Galford has built strong, trusted relationships between tribal partners and Riverside County. She continues to lead the ICWA consistency group and ensures her fellow social workers have a central place to address the challenges of the Native children and families on their caseloads. (continued to page 5)

Cameron Galford, a DPSS social worker, received the 2020 Champion Award at the Ninth Annual Southern California Judicial Convening Virtual Event on Oct. 23. She was gifted an honoring blanket by the Tribal Justice Collaborative.

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“This is a testament to our good work and commitment to strengthening partnerships,” said Charity Douglas, assistant director of Children Services. “We are very proud of Cameron and her commitment to doing what is best for the children and youth in our care.” Galford noted that it was a “humbling experience” to be recognized and considers herself fortunate to sit at the table to advocate for tribal families in Riverside County. While progress has been made, she hopes her work will inspire others. “Our goal is for the next generation to keep this going because we’ve put in the foundation,” Galford said. “We need to keep righting the wrongs of history.” Riverside County Tribal Nations • Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

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• Ramona Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians • Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians • Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians • Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians • Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians

• Augustine Band of Mission Indians • Cabazon Band of Mission Indians • Cahuilla Band of Indians • Morongo Band of Mission Indians • Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians

Drive Through Jobseekers Connect to Employers in Desert Scores of jobseekers were connected to new work opportunities through their car windows during a December drive-through resource fair held in Desert Hot Springs. The event was part of the Self Sufficiency Division’s efforts to bring resources to customers of CalWORKS, a program that provides cash aid and services to eligible families who have at least one child in the home. In Riverside County, there are approximately 18,000 CalWORKs cases.

“Many customers in Desert Hot area have been especially hard-hit by the pandemic,” said Eric Ellis, regional manager in the Self Sufficiency Division. In October, unemployment the east county city was approaching 15%, an increase of almost 9% higher over the prior year. More than 200 jobs in the industries from hospitality and service to public health and government service were showcased at the resource fair, which was visited by 66 CalWORKs customers. “We are continuing to come up with new ways to connect our customers to resources during this ongoing crisis,” Ellis said. “We hope this is the beginning of many more.”

Martha’s Village & Kitchen from Indio attends a DPSS drive-through event that assisted nearly 70 jobseekers in Desert Hot Springs on Dec. 3, 2020. (Vanessa Martinez, Supervising Employment Services

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Moreno Valley Family Celebrates Holidays with Old and New Traditions

Jolleen Newby has many gifts to celebrate. The Moreno Valley mom finalized her fourth adoption in Riverside County this year. Christmas celebrations around her busy household will be extra special this season despite the pandemic, Newby says. Her girls are between the ages of 2 and 5. Keeping the energetic sisters engaged and creative during a time of social isolation has been a challenge, but Newby says sharing holiday traditions and starting new traditions has helped the family kindle the yuletide spirit and strengthen their bonds. “Love and being together are what’s important,” she says. “We’ve been visiting neighborhoods and homes decorated with Christmas lights. The girls have Santa hats, stockings by the fireplace and, for the first time, we’re building a gingerbread house; something I never did as a kid.” The Newbys are among nearly 300 families who finalized their adoptions this year in Riverside County. Charity Douglas, assistant director of Children’s Services, said dozens of children in Riverside County are waiting for a permanent, safe, and loving homes year-round. “Every child deserves a home to be supported, a home to be nurtured and a home to be inspired, a place to reach their maximum potential,” said Douglas. “Adoption is a gift to parents and children.”

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Newby’s path to adoption began years ago – inspired by her time working with foster children and opening her home to a relative’s friend who was in need. “You’re changing lives through adoption and the experience changes you for the better,” Newby said. “Becoming a mom through adoption gave me a great sense of purpose in life.” Newby said the holidays are a good time to reflect on the needs of children and families in communities, and to respond with acts of love and kindness. “The Christmas spirit is what we need right now,” she said. “We’re ending this year on a good note – at home with our family.”

The Newby family celebrating the Christmas season in their Santa hats. (Left to right) Zoey, Zinnia, Jolleen, Zury and Zion.

Meet Riverside County children waiting for permanent loving homes at: http://www.heartgalleryriverside.org For information about Riverside County adoptions please visit: www.rivcodpss.org

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Scouts Join Effort to Distribute Thousands of Masks to IHSS Clients and Caregivers Embracing their commitment to community stewardship, local scouting troops are helping package masks for some of Riverside County’s most at-risk residents to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Thousands of masks are being sent in packages of 10 by the Public Authority to senior and disabled clients of In-Home Supportive Services. Managers and staff in the Adult Services Division have already volunteered to package some masks, however, two local scout troops recently pitched in. More help is needed. “We are honored to help,” said cubmaster David Crandell of Cub Scout Pack 242 from Grand Terrace. “This is a way our scouts can support at-risk seniors and frontline workers who are supporting them during this difficult time.” “They love serving their community,” said Tiffany Nelson, co-leader for Girl Scout Troop 176. “It’s our tradition to assist DPSS with a service project each year. This was a great opportunity.” The IHSS program provides in-home support services to nearly 40,000 residents of Riverside County. Since December, the Public Authority has mailed 70,000 of nearly 1 million masks to clients. The masks were provided by Riverside County with funds from the CARES Act. “We are grateful for the help we have received,” said Eva Krottmayer, Executive Director of the IHSS Public Authority. “We have a lot of masks still to package to send to clients and their caregivers, who are essential – more now than ever. We want them to have the resources they need to stay safe.”

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Cub Scouts and leaders from Pack 242 in Grand Terrace package masks into envelopes for seniors and those with disabilities who receive In-Home Supportive Services.

Donning blue uniforms and masks themselves, more than a dozen scouts from Pack 242 and their troop leaders recently met at Fiesta Village to fill 200 envelopes. An additional 3,000 envelopes were packaged at home by girl scouts from San Gorgonio Girl Scout Troop 176.

Scouts with San Gorgonio Girl Scout Troop 176 work from home to package masks for clients who receive In-Home Supportive Services.

Public Authority is seeking additional volunteers from non-profit, service and faith-based organizations to help package 30,000 envelopes. Interested volunteers should contact Veronica Ortega at veortega@rivco.org

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Feeling Under the Weather? Play it Safe. Stay Home.

Staying home is a challenge when there are places to go and people to see. But, laying low is perhaps the single most important step any of us can take to help protect coworkers, customers and communities from a contagious illness: especially as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to climb. “Cold and flu season are here. The coronavirus has been with us almost a year, now. We hope everyone will practice self-care,” said Marianna Sarmiento, assistant director of Administrative Services Division. “If you aren’t feeling well, stay home.”

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Employees should notify their manager when they are sick or believe they have been exposed to COVID-19. Employees and visitors who answer ‘yes’ to any one of the questions listed below should not entire a DPSS location: • Do you have a cough? • Do you have a fever or had a fever within the last 24 hours? • Do you have shortness of breath? • Have you taken any medication that might mask symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory illness? • Have you had contact with anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days? Or symptoms of the flu or any respiratory illness within last 72 hours? • Do you have anyone in your home that is ill or presenting symptoms of COVID-19 or any respiratory illness? Sarmiento said employees who’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or who are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and remain at home until they have been cleared.

How to make winter holiday celebrations safer: • Wear a mask indoors and outdoors • Stay at least six feet from others who do not live with you • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces • Wash your hands • Get a flu shot Source: www.cdc.gov

Employees with a household member who is infected should notify their supervisor and follow safety precautions. “Anyone who believes they’ve been exposed to COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider, get tested, and not return to work until they are cleared to do so,” Sarmiento said, reminding staff that it is mandatory to wear face coverings at all times in all DPSS locations. Employees are also asked not to carpool with other county employees at this time. For more workplace questions regarding what to do in case of illness, please contact your immediate supervisor.

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Social Workers Deliver Gifts and Holiday Cheer to Young Adults Leaving Foster Care Behind Social workers during the holidays delivered bags loaded with goodies and gifts to Anahi Reyes and 160 young adults who are preparing to leave foster care for independent living. Outside her apartment, Anahi, 20, said youth in foster care can experience feelings of isolation during the holidays when celebrations center on family gatherings. This year, she said she thinks the pandemic has increased those feelings of isolation and loneliness even more. Anahi’s brother, Gerardo Reyes, 19, also felt the same way when he received his bag of gifts and said that it helped to brighten his mood. “These gifts make us feel special,” said Anahi, who entered foster care at age 10, and who has been in care for a decade. She brightened at the gift bag brimming with cookies, a knitted beanie, soft blanket, personal care products, gift cards and kits to decorate holiday items delivered by her social worker, Jacqueline Pintado. “These gifts show us the community cares.” Anahi and Gerardo are two among hundreds of Riverside County youth who have chosen to participate in Extended Foster Care. Foster youth can choose to exit at 18, however the extended program helps young adults between age 18 and 21 learn life skills, including budgeting, job assistance and finding community resources. Reyes will be 21 early next year. “She’s learning important life skills she can use and is going into the real world knowing what’s expected of her as an adult,” said Jaqueline Pintado, Anahi and Gerardo’s social worker. Anahi Reyes, 20, with her social worker Jaqueline Pintado in the background.

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Church groups and community organizations through Faith in Motion contributed to the gift bags, which traditionally have been shared at a sit-down holiday dinner. Older youth and young adults in foster care overcome significant obstacles to successfully transition to adulthood, said Charity Douglas, assistant director of Children’s Services. “Support from our community and faith- based partners has helped our youth develop resiliency and know that they are loved and valued,” Douglas said.

Children’s Services social worker, Jaqueline Pintado, delivers gifts Monday in Riverside to young adults preparing to leave foster care for independent living.

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Dear DPSS Colleagues: We are honored you entrusted us to help share your stories and achievements this year. Not a day goes by that our team is not touched and inspired by your work. Sometimes, we simply stand in awe of all you’ve accomplished in these extraordinary times. Our hope in the new year is that you will continue sharing your stories with us at dpssinfo@rivco.org. With more than 4,000 employees in our ranks, DPSS is a diverse and vibrant community whose members work together to empower lives. Each one of your stories and contributions are part of our larger story. Thank you for helping us write the pages of

our journey together in 2021. Safe and Happy Holidays!

Community and Government Relations Team Kimberly, Gene, Angela, Alex, Isabel, Sydney

Follow Us @RivCoDPSS

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