Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
Child Protective Services (CPS), now known as Children’s Services, is often in the media only when there is negative news. I’ve had the good fortune of working indirectly with CPS over the last two and a half years, and I’ve been consistently impressed with all of the great things it does to help children and families.

 I’ve learned firsthand, that many of the stereotypes it must contend with are just that, stereotypes.

CPS protects children, and they also help families on a preventative basis. Our county is becoming well known in the state for a particular program called Differential Response. SJ County Children’s Services has partnered wit several local nonprofits (Community Partnership for Families, Child Abuse Prevention Council, El Concilio, Family & Youth Services and the Women’s Center) to proactively help children and families. As these families are helped, our community is helped, and every family in San Joaquin County benefits. Reports of child abuse in our county have gone down in the last several years.

The Deputy Director of H.S.A., Dave Erb, in charge of Children’s Services is retiring later this month. Our county has been very fortunate to have him, and his leadership will be missed. He leaves a legacy of children and families helped and a pair of very large shoes to fill.