DPSS News Sept Oct 2020

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPLOYS GEAR TO TELEWORKERS

H ispanic Heritage Week, it expanded to a month in 1988. Each year, the month-long observance begins in the middle of September and it “recognizes and celebrates the contributions Americans tracing their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean have made to American society and culture,” according to the Census Bureau. It coincides with independence holidays in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile and Belize. It also includes Día de la Raza on October 12, or Columbus Day. The Pew Research Center has estimated in 2019 that there are 1,240,000 Riverside County residents who identify themselves as Hispanic, making up 50% of the total population. In our DPSS family, many staff members proudly belong to this this diverse ethnic community. “We know that our cultural roots have had a profound influence on our society as our immigrant families bring the enduring values of hard work and service. We reflect this spirit and dedication in our mission to help the most in need,” said Marianna Sarmiento, assistant director of Administrative Services, whose parents are originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. We can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Heritage Month in simple and safe ways. For example, we can cook a favorite Latin American dish, listen to the sounds of mariachi music or sign up to attend an online cultural event while at home. We can shop also at a local Hispanic-owned business, whether it be in person or online. And we can relax with a good book written by a Spanish-language author enjoying a café with pan dulce . Hispanic Heritage Month lasts until October 15 and this year’s theme is “Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace your Future.” DPSS CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

T echnology Support Services rolled up its sleeves in September to roll out hundreds of computers and hardware devices to teleworkers in the Sel f Sufficiency Division. The team dispersed between 70 and 100 computers a day over just 11 days, with help from Riverside County Information Technology. About 650 teleworkers retr ieved the new and repurposed technology equipment from four DPSS deployment sites countywide. The effort to equip employees with permanent telework equipment supports the department’s longstanding goal of robust telework force that provides seamless online services. Project leaders say the coronavirus outbreak last spring and public health orders limiting in-person transactions accelerated the department’s plans. Catalino Felipe, an administrative services manager with Technology Support, helped spearhead the distribution. “We focused on making sure our customers’ needs were met,” Felipe said. “It’s gratifying to equip our staff with the tools they need to provide services for our most vulnerable community members.” DPSS is among Riverside County’s largest departments with more than 4,000 employees. About 90% of its workforce began working remotely when the pandemic struck last spring. More than half the staff is expected to continue teleworking as part of the department’s permanent model. Yesenia Carlos (left) receiving training on her assigned equipment.

NEW WEBSITE ON TRACK FOR EARLY SPRING P repare to say goodbye to the old DPSS website and hello to a

contemporary customer-centered onl ine exper ience come ear ly Spring. DPSS is one of several county agencies working with Information Technology and the third-party web vendor 360 Civic to shape the content and design for a new public- facing website.

“We are designing our new site with the needs of our customers, community stakeholders and employees in mind,” said Marianna Sarmiento, assistant director of the Administrative Division. “It’s exciting to see this vital new resource coming together to support the needs of our customers and communities,” Sarmiento said. “Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to launch day.”

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES