2024 Essential Services Month
Throughout the month of August, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) will observe Essential Services Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness of local services that Los Angeles County residents can access in times of hardship.
2024 CalFresh Awareness Month: Eat Better, Live Better
DPSS, the Department of Public Health, L.A. County, and community partners, have launched activities for the annual May CalFresh Awareness Month campaign to address food insecurity by informing residents about the many nutritional benefits of the CalFresh Program. This year’s theme is Eat Better, Live Better.
2023 Essential Services Month
Ensuring that every Los Angeles County resident can access necessary support in times of need, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) has kickstarted its 'August Essential Services Month' campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness and simplify the process of accessing and applying for vital benefit programs and services.
EBT Skimming
In 2022, over $19 million of EBT card benefits were stolen in Los Angeles County due to card skimming. A skimmer is a device that thieves place on ATMs or payment machines to steal EBT card information. The card information is then used to steal EBT benefits. The purpose of this toolkit is to help partnering agencies raise awareness and educate their constituents about EBT card skimming.
2023 CalFresh Awareness Month
On Tuesday, May 2nd, the Board of Supervisors introduced a motion to declare May as CalFresh Awareness Month, recognizing the collaborative efforts of DPSS, County partners, and community-based organizations to combat hunger in our County. To promote this initiative, our Department launched several outreach strategies, including hosting events, creating and disseminating marketing materials, social media posts, and media outreach, to encourage enrollment in the CalFresh Program.
DPSS Safe Youth Zones
Joining other California counties in the observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the L.A. County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) has designated 43 of its district offices as temporary safe spaces for at-risk youth as part of an expanded Countywide Safe Youth Zone (SYZ) Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to increase the network of safe spaces for victims of child sex trafficking. In addition to DPSS, the initiative has added the Departments of Children Family Services, Probation, Mental Health, Health Services, and Public Health.
