CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS), a leading advocate for family well-being, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Empowering Fathers series this August as part of its Child Support Awareness Month Campaign. Committed to its core principle of helping families thrive, The Department of Child Support Services recognizes the instrumental role fathers play in the development and future success of their children. With this in mind, the department has curated a series of presentations that aim to empower fathers with the knowledge, support, and resources needed to overcome obstacles that may hinder their involvement in their children’s lives.
Studies have consistently shown that father involvement is vital for the well-rounded growth and prosperity of children. By encouraging fathers to be more engaged, VCDCSS believes in creating a positive impact on families and society as a whole. The Empowering Fathers Series brings together renowned experts from various fields to share their expertise and experiences, offering valuable insights and guidance to fathers seeking to strengthen their relationships with their children.
The series will be comprised of four thought-provoking presentations, each focusing on a specific aspect of father involvement. Participants are welcome to attend any or all of the presentations, held in English only via Zoom on Wednesdays from 6 pm to 7 pm. The schedule and topics are as follows:
Navigating the Child Support Program (8/2/23)
Speakers: Mark Newman, Child Support Services Supervisor & Oriana Lopez, Child Support Services Specialist
Child Custody and Visitation Orders (8/9/23)
Speakers: Lidia Almaguer, Supervising Attorney for Ventura Family Law Facilitator & Kathy LaSalle, Sr. Deputy District Attorney for the District Attorney Child Abduction Unit
Employment Services for Job Seekers (8/16/23)
Speaker: Norman Albances, Workforce Development Board Director
Fresh Start for Justice Involved (8/23/23)
Speaker: Ayala Benefraim, Supervising Attorney for the Public Defenders Fresh Start Unit
“We are truly excited to launch the Empowering Fathers series,” said Marcus Mitchell, Director at VCDCSS “By offering fathers the knowledge, support, and resources they need, we aim to facilitate their active involvement in their children’s lives and create a positive ripple effect on families and communities. We encourage fathers, as well as anyone interested in promoting strong family bonds, to join us for these insightful presentations.”
Registration for the Empowering Fathers series is now open at https://bit.ly/register_EmpowerFathers. VCDCSS warmly welcomes all individuals, irrespective of parenting role, to participate and invites everyone to share this opportunity with those who would benefit from the valuable information presented.
The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services, commonly referred to as VCDCSS, promotes parental responsibility to ensure children receive stable financial support from both parents. VCDCSS serves thousands of families in the community—offering services such as:
- Locating parents
- Establishing paternity
- Establishing child support orders
- Establishing medical support orders
- Enforcing child and spousal support orders
- Modifying child support orders
- Collecting and distributing child support payments
VCDCSS family-centered approach allows parents to access the tools they need to support their children. VCDCSS partners with various organizations to help build healthy family relationships and support responsible parenthood.