DPSS News May 2020

DPSS NEWS MAY 2020

RESOURCE FAMILIES SPOTLIGHTED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO KIDS AND

VIRTUALLY FACE-TO-FACE – STAYING CONNECTED WHILE TELEWORKING

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ith three out of four employees now teleworking from home, DPSS leaders are asking managers to hold regular virtual online meetings to help staff stay plugged in to the department. “We want our staff to be connected to each another and to our mission of serving those who are vulnerable and in need,” said DPSS Director Sayori Baldwin.

COMMUNITIES (continued from pg. 1)

About 3,600 children and teens are in foster care on any given day in Riverside County, and Douglas said there is a need for loving and stable homes, especially for teens. “Mrs. Lateef believes in what she is doing, that her work is important and making a difference in the lives of children,” said her social worker Shatania “Sha” Hammond, also crediting Lateef’s husband for his contributions. “They are a great team and their system works.” Lateef said trust is key. “I tell them I’m not their Mom but that I am going to take care of them like if I was their Mom”, Lateef said. And she tells the biological parents that she is just stepping in to help them out temporarily, just like an extended member of the family would, while they get things sorted out. While many long-term resource families were among those recognized, a new foster dad was also in the mix of award recipients. “All that it takes is love, tons of love,” said Patrick Thompson, another Caregiver of the Year 2020 award recipient, who has been a foster father for around five months. “You just have to be willing to open your home and reach out with your heart.” Offering a stable and loving home to a child or teen in need is an experience Lateef recommends more people embrace. In her view, the rewards far outnumber the challenges. There is a sense of satisfaction in knowing that “our kids are getting what they need.” To know more about how to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth in Riverside County, please call 1-800-665-KIDS.

“Many of us are no longer seeing each other in the office. We are missing those personal interactions with our friends and colleagues,” Baldwin said. “But there are fresh opportunities ahead as we reshape our communications to strengthen our connections to one another and our work.” Staff Development Manager Lonetta Bryan holds regular staff meetings by video conference. She also checks in with her team at the end of each day. Meetings don’t need to be long to be meaningful and effective, she says. “Communicating face to face, even over a screen, sends the message that you are present and listening,” Bryan says. “These connections expand our shared experiences and allow us to see our colleagues’ expressions and body language so we can support one another as a team.” Bryan also periodically hosts video coffee klatches and water cooler gatherings where staff can spend time—virtually—catching up and boosting the team’s morale. She recently helped launch the Sunshine Committee to enhance morale and maintain engagement— particularly during the period of heightened self-isolation due to COVID-19. Office Assistant III Saniyyah Rudicill was elected to serve as chairperson of Sunshine Committee for its inaugural year. Rudicill said the committee is looking at both big and small ways to brighten the remote work environment. One of them, the “Thinking of You” campaign, allows coworkers to deliver smiles of appreciation to one another through the Sunshine Committee.

“Teleworking is really challenging. It’s so easy to become detached,” says Rudicill, who is also working remotely now. “We want to make sure we are popping in, checking up on each other and staying connected. We have decided we are going to keep smiling through this storm.”

We want to hear from you! Send us a screenshot of your next video conference meeting and let us know what works for your team DPSSInfo@rivco.org.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES