The new funding will create jobs to help more families achieve financial and emotional stability

County of Riverside, CA – For the first time in 19 years, the Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) will receive a significant increase in funding, resulting from Governor Newsom’s budget signed today. The additional $5.4 million will provide financial and emotional stability to families, and in return, aid the local economy.

The approved state’s budget includes an additional $56 million for 21 of the most underfunded local child support agencies, $5.4 million of which are allocated to Riverside County DCSS.

“I hope that this budget is a sign that state legislators have realized they can no longer ignore us – as the fourth most populous county in the state,” said Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington, who advocated in Sacramento for this funding. “Riverside County must receive an equitable portion of the state’s budget.”

The funds will be used to hire 29 case workers, which will allow for shorter processing times and increase the number of families helped each year.  Increasing the number of families helped in Riverside County means more money into local households for a child’s growth, safety and wellbeing.

Currently, caseworkers average 900 cases. DCSS’ goal is to only assign a workload of 188 child support cases per employee each year. This will avoid staggering costs to other programs, but most importantly, it would help increase economic security for children and families in Riverside County.

For more information on available services, please visit www.riversidechildsupport.com