Local families with school-age children are invited to the 4th Annual Family Support Resource Fair and Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 8, in recognition of Child Support Awareness Month. This free community event is hosted by the Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) and will provide backpacks filled with school supplies for children as they prepare to head back to school. Volunteer hairdressers will give free haircuts, so that each child may feel and look their best for the new school year. This year they will also host a blood drive and will have community partners onsite to provide free sports physicals for kids.

The resource fair will also connect parents with important information on child support services and other local assistance programs, including employment and job opportunities, housing and utility assistance, veteran services, dental care, and more. Families can enjoy free haircuts, snacks and refreshments, prizes and giveaways, and family-friendly activities, all in one convenient location. The event is rain or shine, admission is free, and walk-ins are welcome. No appointment is necessary.

RivCoDCSS staff will be on site to help families apply for child support services, establish and modify child support orders, address child support arrears, answer questions, and connect parents with free legal assistance.

“As a county, few things matter more than making sure our children have what they need to thrive,” said Riverside County Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel. “Events like the Family Support Resource Fair bring the whole community together —parents, local businesses, and county services — to give families a real, tangible boost heading into the new school year. I’m proud of the work our Department of Child Support Services does every day to help parents build stability for their children.”

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or until supplies last), at the RivCoDCSS Riverside Office, 2081 Iowa Ave., in Riverside. Backpacks and school supplies are available while supplies last, on a first-come, first-served basis. Families are encouraged to register in advance at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026AwarenessMonthRSVP.

“Our mission goes beyond child support payments — it’s about making sure every child has the foundation to succeed,” said Child Support Services Director Nicole Windom-Hurd. “By bringing backpacks, haircuts, healthcare information, and dozens of community partners under one roof, we’re removing barriers and reminding families across Riverside County that they don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.”

Child Support Awareness Month reinforces the importance of working together to ensure families have the resources and stability they need. In the past year alone, RivCoDCSS provided healthcare coverage for more than 34,000 children, supported over 70,000 parents through child support assistance, and collected and redistributed more than $185 million to families across Riverside County.