FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2002
Contact: Diane Thomas
714.834.6203
Sturla Recommended
to Head New Child Support Services Department
(Santa Ana) - On Tuesday,
the Board of Supervisors will hear a recommendation to
appoint Jan C. Sturla as head of the new department of
Child Support Services (CSS). Sturla, a Deputy District
Attorney for 25 years, has served as Director of the District
Attorney's Family Support Division (FSD) since 1999.
With the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 196 and Senate
Bill (SB) 542, the State Legislature mandated that a new
County Department, separate from the District Attorney,
be created to administer the child support program. As
of July 1, all 58 California Counties, including Orange
County, will have transitioned from the District Attorney
to independent County Departments.
Sturla joined FSD in 1992 and, since that time, collections
have increased 245 percent. In 1995, he initiated the
Price-Waterhouse Study that revamped the FSD organization
resulting in improved service, increased collections and
greater efficiency. Under his direction, FSD has met or
exceeded all State and Federal requirements. This allows
the division to operate without using County funds, "Jan
helped create the top-performing child support collection's
program among California's largest counties," said Cynthia
P. Coad, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. "He has already
established a working partnership with State and County
officials and is the ideal person to guide CSS through
the transition process."
Sturla received a bachelor of art's degree in economics
from California State University, Fullerton and law degree
from Pepperdine University School of Law.
The appointment is effective July 1. His salary will be
$147,160 per year.
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