DPSS Annual Report 24_25 FLIP v16_compressed

Self-Sufficiency Division COMMUNITY OUTREACH BRANCH: Where Resources Meet the Road

490 community events and 49,000 individuals reached

The Community Outreach Branch (COB) was on the move in Fiscal Year 2024/25, traveling tens of thousands of miles countywide in response to natural di sasters, emergencies and community needs, bringing essential services, such as food assistance and health coverage directly to college campuses, outreach events and remote desert regions dot ted with makeshift shelters. COB’s growing fleet of branded blue vans became a familiar sight, reflecting Self-Sufficiency’s central role in service integration and partnership with public agencies and community organizations that collectively are working to improve the health and socioeconomic out comes of vulnerable populations. When the Nixon and Airport fires dis placed residents, COB responded quick ly with emergency assistance and Cal Fresh replacement benefits, reinforcing Marivel Castaneda, a supervisor with the Community Outreach Branch, was honored with the Anhatapu Award at the Festival Monarca, recognizing her leadership, her advocacy for Medi-Cal enrollment and commitment to serving underserved communities. “Since Riverside County began its push to integrate services and better align with community and county partners, we’ve seen stronger community en gagement and coordinated efforts,” Castaneda said. “By sharing collective visions, educating residents, and build ing trust, our partnerships have grown. This allows us to deliver more equitable, tailored solutions that align with our de partment’s mission.” The Anhatapu Award draws from the indigenous Purépecha language and is traditionally associated with strength,

port residents. Outreach efforts pro moting the BenefitsCal self-service op tion helped Riverside County reclaim the top spot among California’s six largest counties for active primary applicants using BenefitsCal. Collaboration and compassion shaped every effort. COB partnered with Hous ing and Workforce Solutions during the 2024 Homeless Point-in-Time Count to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to resources and bene fits. COB also joined Code Enforcement, Behavioral Health and local cities during encampment cleanups and saturation events, offering on-site application support and same-day approvals to un housed people. Targeted outreach at the Riverside Community College District helped more than 70 students enroll in CalFresh, allowing them to focus on their education without the strain of food in security. Festival Monarca, which celebrates the heritage of Michoacán and the sym bolism of the monarch butterfly, draws several thousand attendees each year. Castaneda’s award was presented to her by TODEC during the festival’s 40th an niversary in 2024, in the city of Perris. Castaneda said partnerships with orga nizations such as TODEC are vital as they allow DPSS to maintain direct, trusted relationships with populations that of ten face barriers to accessing preventive healthcare services and navigating cul tural and linguistic challenges. “By equipping our partners with clear points of contact and coordinated solu tions,” Castaneda said, “we are support ing their efforts to improve overall health outcomes for vulnerable residents.”

its commitment to being a steady and reliable partner during community cri ses. Through the Strengthening Blythe Com munity initiative, COB expanded its RivCoOne collaboration to better sup

Community Outreach Supervisor Honored with Award

protection and community advocacy. TODEC, a community empowerment organization, presents the award to indi viduals who demonstrate courage, ser vice and a deep commitment to uplifting others.

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Riverside County Department of Public Social Services | Annual Report 2024 - 2025