July 22, 2021

 

SACRAMENTO, California (July 22, 2021) – Jennifer Olson, Supervising Child Support Specialist of Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services has been honored with the 2021 Innovation in Child Support award by the Child Support Director’s Association (CDSA).

 

Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), the agency that oversees the establishment and enforcement of child support for the county, identified an opportunity to improve services in Contra Costa to title companies. Olson’s solution demonstrated a keen understanding of customer needs and innovative use of technology. While evaluating the labor-intensive lien demand and request process, Olson recognized this as an opportunity to leverage technology to provide more efficient and responsive service to Contra Costa’s title company customers.

 

In partnership with Intresys, Olson and her project team designed, tested, and promoted an online Request for Demand Portal that automates much of the process. The functions that the Portal automates have significantly reduced errors or missing information on requests and provides customers with timely information on the status of their request. “Jennifer’s vision, leadership and follow-through have resulted in an innovation that has improved the service we provide to our title company customers,” said Melinda Self, Director of Contra Costa County DCSS.

 

“We are honored to celebrate Jennifer’s dedication to improving and providing a better customer service experience,” said Greg Wilson, Executive Director of CSDA. “This award is a testament to the commitment of the Contra Costa County DCSS staff.”

 

“Looking for trouble” is usually seen as a problem, but Jennifer Olson shows how actively seeking out the pain points in a process with an eye to improvement can result in great outcomes for customers and stakeholders.

 

“As public servants, we value new and efficient processes that better serve our customers. Leaders such as Jennifer are greatly appreciated in the Child Support program,” stated Marie Girulat, CSDA Board President.

 

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About the Child Support Directors Association

The Child Support Directors Association, a membership organization, serves the 47 Local Child Support Agencies with more than 5,865 employees in all 58 California counties. In partnership with other agencies, the members enforce California’s public child support program. There are more than 1.1 million child support cases in California distributing more than $1.3 Billion each year to children and families. The Vision of the Child Support Directors Association is to transform the lives of children and assist families with safety net services moving toward family financial stability.