Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.
The CalFresh Branch oversees the administration of CalFresh, California's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) with the mission of ensuring that all eligible Californians have access to the food benefits available to them and that the Branch supports the provision of excellent customer service while upholding program integrity. The CalFresh Branch is comprised of the Policy Bureau, Operations Bureau, and Technical Assistance and Corrective Action Bureau.
CalFresh is federally mandated, and in California, is state-supervised and county-operated. The Branch also oversees the administration of Disaster CalFresh, as needed, and several state-funded food benefit initiatives. CalFresh is the largest food program in California and provides an essential hunger safety net.
CDSS Guiding Principles
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.
We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.
Community Engagement
We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.
Empowerment
We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.
Quality Services
We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.
Data Defined Outcomes
We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.