DPSS News - August 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear DPSS Team: A new school year is under way and most students are returning to online classrooms. Distance learning is challenging enough for children who

COUNTY DECLARES RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS T he Board of Supervisors earlier this month unanimously agreed that racism is a public health crisis in Riverside County and vowed to take steps to deal with the issue.

The 5-0 vote took place after supervisors heard f rom several communi ty members who supported the resolution, which indicated that “systemic racism causes persistent racial d i s c r imi na t i on i n hous i ng , educa t i on , employment, transportation, and criminal justice.” “America is blessed with incredible diversity that makes us unique and is one of our strengths. But systemic racism in our country continues to limit opportunities for communities of color in ways that damage physical and mental health even across generations,” said Supervisor Chuck Washington, Third District. “The time to address health disparities is long overdue.” Among the planned actions in the resolution, supervisors agreed to seek more diversity in the county’s workforce and in leadership positions; implement solutions to eliminate systemic inequality in all external services provided by the county; and enhance public education to increase understanding and awareness of systemic inequality and its impact.

have the resources they need to succeed. For at-risk and foster youth, the barriers are often heightened by poverty, household instability and a lack of resources. We are coordinating with school districts and community partners to identify vulnerable students and ensure they receive support to keep pace academically and stay safe in a remote environment. To be sure, this effort takes a village. Our community partners are crucial to helping our children and youth find stability and resiliency in their journeys. I had the honor of attending the Riverside County Bar Assoc i a t i on ’ s ce r emony t o r ecogn i ze t he accomplishments of two foster youth who had been at the brink of failing or dropping out of high school. Project Graduate works with social workers to pair academically at-risk foster youth with long-term volunteer mentors who guide these students to graduation. Seeing a young woman heading to the university of her dreams and a 19-year old shedding tears for becoming the first in his family to graduate; these are the rich rewards of our work. They reflect the heart of our organization and the volunteers who are committed to helping our youth create brighter futures for themselves. We have many reasons to be optimistic about the future despite the challenging times. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors recently declared that racism is a public health crisis. The declaration recognizes the harm that racism has inflicted on generations of Black and Brown lives and the social disparities that have resulted. The Board will soon begin holding community listening sessions countywide. We will be at the table listening and learning, too. We also want to hear from you. Please plan to participate in a short survey that will be coming out this month to assess workplace satisfaction. Your input wi l l help us identify opportunities for improvement and growth. Thank you, as always, for continuing to focus on our customers as we navigate the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic together. Sayori Baldwin, Director

SUPERVISOR WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 3

SUPERVISOR PEREZ, DISTRICT 4

“This action reaffirms our commitment to address the health disparities among communities of color,” said Kim Saruwatari, director or Riverside University Healthy System - Public Health. “Systemic racism impacts communities at so many levels and the effects can be devastating.” The board also voted 5-0 in a separate agenda item to hold workshops, including listening sessions with the community and meetings among the board and county department heads. The workshops will focus on county services and budget priorities, including public safety, behavioral health and social services. “In the spirit of civil rights giant, Congressman John Lewis, I am proud of today’s historical vote within Riverside County to advance social justice, equity and community empowerment,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Today, we passed two major efforts to fight racism and have listening sessions to look at how we fund and re-fund safety net services and meet the social needs of our communities.” (Article courtesy of Riverside County Executive Office)

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

Ian Madrigal never dreamed he’d graduate from high school. Nobody else in his family had ever done so. Ian figured he would follow in their footsteps and work hard to make ends meet at a local pizza restaurant. But, instead, this June 19-year-old Ian became the first in his family to earn a high school diploma after receiving long-term mentorship and guidance through Riverside County’s Project Graduate. The project is a partnership between the Riverside County Bar Association, the Superior Court and DPSS Children’s Services. Volunteers help at-risk foster youth like Ian believe in their own potential and steer them toward graduation. Ian and another graduate went from the verge of failing or dropping out, to graduating with grade point averages of at least 3.5. Statewide just 56% of foster youth graduate from high school in contrast to 85% of all other students. Project Graduate has helped 32 high-risk students achieve their diplomas since it began in 2011. “These are the youth that would definitely fall through the cracks if it weren’t for this program,” said Sherry Jansen, Project Graduate in-house coordinator, who plans to encourage more students to participate in coming years. Project Graduate Helps Foster Youth Turn Dreams Into Diplomas

“I was going to give up because school has never really been my thing,” said Ian. “But this program kept me going and I did it.” Luis Lopez, Ian’s educational representative, got involved because he believes education is key to a brighter future. “When I heard that many of these youngsters were dropping out of high school and ending up homeless, I had to do something.” Social workers from DPSS identify foster youth who are at risk of not finishing school. The Bar Association recruits and trains members, mostly attorneys, to become court-appointed educational representatives. They volunteer to work individually with at-risk foster youth. “We mentor and advocate for these young people. We help them build resilience and plan for their future,” said Brian Unitt, a trial attorney who specializes in appellate law and who serves as chair of the steering committee for Project Graduate. The program recently recognized the accomplishments of Ian and another graduate during a virtual celebration on Zoom. During the ceremony Juvenile Court Judge Matthew Perantoni congratulated both graduates for their hard work and dedication. “There have been ups and downs along the way and I am very proud of you,” said Perantoni. The graduates each received a laptop, a check and a commemorative plaque. The young woman who graduated will be going to the college of her choice, Grambling State University in Louisiana, to study criminal justice. Madrigal plans to continue working at the pizza restaurant. He’s considering attending Riverside City College in the future. For more information on Project Graduate, please visit: www.riversidecountybar.com/foundation/project-graduate.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

SWORN INVESTIGATORS SAFEGUARD PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS

INTERNAL SERVICES MIXES INGREDIENTS FOR GREAT PLATES DELIVERED

P roject management, creat i v i t y and a can-do attitude were key ingredients to the successful launch of Great Plates Delivered, a r e s t a u r a n t - me a l delivery program to help low-income seniors stay nourished during the coronavirus pandemic. The statewide program began in April. It also aims to support local restaurants and their e m p l o y e e s a s

S pecial Investigations (SIU) welcomed three newly Sworn Investigators into the unit. Earlier this month, Investigators Michael Caballero, Scott Degruyter and David Hernandez graduated from Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 210. The 26-week, physically intensive basic law enforcement academy teaches recruits one of the most valuable lessons in law enforcement, said SIU Chief Shawn Ferris: “Whatever happens, keep moving forward and don’t quit.” Caballero served as an Eligibility Technician and Investigative Technician with DPSS prior to attending the academy. He will be assigned to work out to the La Sierra Office. Hernandez spent his career as a Probation Officer with Riverside County before the academy. He will be assigned as a Welfare Fraud Investigator to the Hemet District Office. Degruyter came to DPSS after serving 14 years as an investigative technician in the District Attorney’s office. “I never realized how much I learned from working for the DA’s office until I started the Academy,” said Degruyter, who will be assigned to the Redlands ave District Office in Perris. “I can honestly say working there made me a better person and better recruit. I am confident it will play a large role in my new duty as an investigator. For that, I am grateful.” SIU Chief Ferris said the program’s 25 sworn investigator provide public safety, fraud investigations and support to Children’s Services across the 7,300 square mile county. “Our work is in the background to support the delivery of quality services to our communities,” Ferris said. “It’s gratifying to be part of an organization that serves vulnerable people and reducing program fraud allows us to provide vital services to those who are truly in need.” Left to right: David Hernandez, Michael Caballero, Scott DeGruyter, Chief Shawn Ferris, Assist. Chief Angelique Campbell, and DPSS Director Sayori Baldwin

pandemic-related job losses climb. From Thai food to Southwest cuisine, the Great Plates program has served nearly 600,000 no-cost meals to Riverside County seniors so far. The DPSS Internal Services team worked behind the scenes in its early phases to market Great Plates and secure more than 50 contracts with eateries countywide, said Marianna Sarmiento, program director for the Administrative Services branch of DPSS. “I am proud of the flexibility, focus and commitment our Internal Services team gave to Great Plates. This program is a lifeline to hundreds of vulnerable seniors whose food security has been interrupted by this unprecedented event,” Sarmiento said. She credits the program’s success to the leadership of Office on Aging and DPSS Adults Services. Internal Services’ helped get Great Plates up and running in under eight weeks. The team clocked more than 575 hours and processed about 100 applications, while maintaining contract caseloads, renewals, and managing the year-end crunch, team members recalled. Richard Sandoval, an administrative services officer, rapidly developed a SharePoint site that supported efficient collaboration with multiple agencies including the Office on Aging. “We were building the plane as we were flying it,” Sandoval said. “But if anyone knows how to get the job done—it’s us—here at DPSS.” Kisha Jenkins, the administrative services manager who leads Internal Services, said the mission of Great Plates perfectly aligned with the mission of DPSS. “Our role is vital in connecting services to people in need, especially when so many families are hurting at this time.”

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

LONGTIME DPSS EMPLOYEE SAYS FAREWELL TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY

W orking for DPSS has been a long and satisfying career for Cynthia Harts. Her tenure spanned nearly three decades and ended with much fanfare on July 16 when she was thrown a drive-through style retirement party, complete with social distancing, at the Staff Development Center in Moreno Valley. While Harts would have preferred to “leave quietly out the back door”, her supervisor and staff had other plans in mind.

“We couldn’t let her go without saying goodbye, even if we are in the midst of a COVID environment,” said Renee Sauve, deputy director of Self-Sufficiency, Eastern Region. “Cynthia has made a positive impact on so many here, we did not want her to leave without knowing how loved and valued she was. We will miss her terribly.” Harts, 60, began her journey with the Self-Sufficiency Division in 1991. Her then husband encouraged her to apply for an opening as an Eligibility Technician Trainee. The job was a perfect match and she said it came naturally to her. From then on, Harts said her office became a haven where she could make Cynthia Harts (2nd from left) at a recent DPSS softball game

a difference by helping people get their benefits in a timely and efficient manner. For Harts, the two most gratifying parts of the job were being able to take care of customers and help fellow colleagues advance in their careers. “DPSS is a unique organization because it allows anyone to start at the bottom and climb their way to the very top,” said Harts, who worked her way to full-service Regional Manager at the Banning Self-Sufficiency office in 2014. “I had the grace to promote through the system,” she added. During her 28 years of service, Harts has observed how Self-Sufficiency has evolved— from filling out forms by hand and meeting every customer face-to-face to processing applications electronically. However, she feels the mission remains the same: helping those who are in need. “These folks are the reason why we are here,” Harts said. “If they didn’t need us, we would not be here.” And Harts is looking forward to seeing all the amazing things that DPSS will be doing in the future. “It has been such a blessing for me to participate in a most rewarding career,” she said. “DPSS will always have a very special place in my heart.”

“I have met some wonderful people and my life has been touched by so many … I am forever grateful to so many people in all classifications and divisions. DPSS and you will always have a very special place in my heart.”

-Cynthia Harts, DPSS Employee (1991-2020)

In-Home Supportive Services is actively recruiting in-home caregivers. IHSS wants to hire 600 caregivers to keep pace with the county’s aging population. The need for care givers is especially great in the Coachella Valley, Blythe and Anza. If you know compassionate, committed people who are interested in applying, please have them call the IHSS Home Line at (888) 960-4477.

This newsletter is produced by Community & Government Relations. Have questions/comments/ideas? Email us at DPSSInfo@rivco.org

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES