Riverside County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
Riverside County Department of Child Support Services
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 3 findings
F1
The DCSS Ombudsman Program is largely involved in dispute resolutions only after problems have occurred. The client must first contact a case worker when there are problems regarding support payments or custodial rights. If the dispute is not resolved, it is turned over to the case worker’s supervisor. If resolution is still not achieved, the case goes to the Department’s Ombudsman team.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The DCSS caseworkers identify serious complaints and immediately refer these complaints to the Ombudsman Program.
F2
Long delays have been encountered between the completion of a child support obligation by a parent, and the cessation of wage garnishment. This results in a hardship on one or both parents and ultimately the need for the county to reimburse the client for overpaid funds. 1
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Case workers and ombudsmen be proactive in assisting the client through the responsibilities and liabilities of the child support process.
F3
Clients that read the DCSS handout material or visit the Department’s web site receive all the information needed to make knowledgeable choices. However, many clients do not posses sufficient reading, language, or computer skills to make informed decisions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Departments of Child Support Services and Child Protective Services coordinate efforts to immediately develop and implement a workable system to inform parents of expenses they face should their children be placed in protective custody.
Additional Recommendations 1
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R4Rewrite all information materials, to take into consideration those clients who have limited reading and language skills. 2