OUR LEADERSHIP
Division Directory
Kristen Erickson-Dondadee
Executive Division
Kristen Erickson-Donadee, Director
Melissa Stone, Chief Deputy Director
The Executive Division provides oversight of the Department and all local child support agencies. This division consists of seven Offices that ensure consistency of program delivery statewide.
Executive Division Offices
Office of Civil Rights – Matilda Aidam, Equal Employment and Opportunity Officer
The Office of Civil Rights administers, educates, and enforces the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Unruh-Ralph Act, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Dymally-Alatorre Act. Administers and maintains an effective internal Equal Employment Opportunity Program and external Civil Rights Compliance Program.
Office of Communication & Public Affairs – Nicole Darracq, Assistant Director
The Office of Communication and Public Affairs provides public outreach, marketing, and media relations support to California Child Support Services, local child support agencies, and other stakeholders involved with child support. This office consists of the Digital Communication Unit, Strategic Communication Unit, and the Partners and Key Constituents Outreach team.
Office of Impact – Scott Allen, Acting Assistant Director
The Office of Impact serves as a strategic support partner with all state and county child support employees to reimagine practices that center customer well-being in all decisions, and to enact systemic change so customers from all communities experience fewer or no barriers to services, and all employees can thrive.
Office of Legal Services – Selis Koker, Chief Counsel
The Office of Legal Services ensures legal compliance with all federal/state laws and regulations applicable to the child support program. This office also provides legal advice as needed to local child support agencies on program related matters.
Office of Legislative Affairs – Scott Allen, Assistant Director
The Office of Legislative Affairs coordinates the department’s legislative activities including providing bill analyses on proposed legislation impacting the child support program, serving as the department’s liaison for legislative members and their staff, and working with the legislature on bills impacting children and families.
Office of Regional Administrators – Alexis Ramirez, Southern Region; Nicole Cortez, Bay Area and Central Region; Kim Petz, Northern Region
The Office of Regional Administrators works directly with county and regional child support agencies to provide technical support and policy direction to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations. Regional Administrators serve as the primary points of contact regarding any issues with the development and implementation of statewide uniform policies and procedures.
Office of Strategic Planning – Cassandra Holzhauer, Assistant Director
The Office of Strategic Planning provides oversight for the development of the Department’s Strategic Plan and works with county and regional child support agencies to identify changes in system design, policy, procedures, and regulations to improve program performance. The Office of Strategic Planning includes the Organizational Change Management, Program Innovation, and Research and Data Analytics Units.
Administrative Services Division Irene Briggs, Deputy Director
The Administrative Services Division is responsible for carrying out the general administrative and financial functions of California Child Support Services, and to provide fiscal guidance and oversight of county and regional child support agencies. The division is comprised of five branches, and each branch provides a variety of administrative, fiscal, procurement, and human resources support to all department divisions and partnering agencies.
Child Support Services Division Traci Nagasawa, Deputy Director
The Child Support Services Division provides statewide oversight of the Child Support Program. The division implements and evaluates departmental programs, policies, and procedures following the state plan for obtaining child and medical support, establishing legal parentage, and promoting consistency in the delivery of child support services statewide.
Operations Division Lesley Bell, Deputy Director
The Operations Division supports various Child Support Program functions such as the State Disbursement Unit, Intergovernmental Services, and Contract Management. The Division also provides critical services and support to local child support agencies in the areas of Case Management and Intercept Support, the Debt Reduction Program and Passport Services, Licensing and Levy Response, and the Parentage Opportunity Program. In addition, employer support is provided in Employer Services and a state Call Center provides assistance for the public. The Operations Division is comprised of two branches: the Financial Oversight and Intergovernmental Branch, and Program Support and Customer Service Branch.
Technology Services Division Steve Nash, Deputy Director
The Technology Services Division is responsible for use of Information Technology, including oversight and support for the statewide case management system, applications, and child support business applications. It also manages information security, the development and maintenance of automation standards, reporting requirements, and Departmental infrastructure. Other responsibilities for the division include desktop, telephone and video conferencing support, IT procurements, and maintenance of all hardware and software assets. The Technology Services Division is comprised of three branches: Applications Development and Testing Branch, Enterprise Architecture and Security Branch, and Infrastructure and Operations Branch.