Building a Meaningful Relationship

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

In January 2013, Herlong Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) reached out to Lassen County DCSS to discuss collaboration within their re-entry programs. The Outreach Project was developed, with the goal of providing awareness of the child support program with a strong emphasis being placed on inmates addressing their child support cases prior to release from incarceration. There was no budget for this project, just the time and energy of all Team members. On May 22, 2013, our first Outreach seminar was held for California based prisoners, intergovernmental prisoners, those prisoners based in the Camp, and with the Herlong FCI staff. Our return visit for our one-on-one meetings with the inmates was August 26, 2013. During the seminars the inmates were able to complete a Case Assistance Form. Lassen County child support staff researched every inmate’s case based on the information provided. For most LCSA’s, this was the first verification they had that an inmate was incarcerated in a federal prison and were able to obtain release dates for these participants. Staff met one-on-one with each inmate to provide the results of the research done on their case. In summary, the inmates are now taking interest in their children, making payments on their cases, having frequent contacts with their LCSA prior to and after release. By encouraging information exchange with the inmates and their LCSA’s over $433,900.00 has been zeroed out either by case closure, initiated either by the Custodial Party or the LCSA, or participation in Compromise of Arrears Program.