For immediate release: March 27, 2008

Contact: 609-633-8507 Kate Bernyk

New Director for the Division of Youth and Family Services Announced

Christine Mozes, LSW, was named the new director of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) today, New Jersey’s primary child protection and welfare agency and the largest division within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Christine recently served as the deputy director of DYFS for the past two years – most notably serving as the lead in the statewide implementation of DCF’s Case Practice Model. The Case Practice Model, one of the most important and ambitious aspects of state’s child welfare reform effort, will fundamentally change how DYFS interacts and supports children and families involved with DYFS.

“I know first hand that Christine Mozes is a skilled manager, strong leader and compassionate public servant who is dedicated to ensuring that families are strengthened in order to safely care for their children,” DCF Acting Commissioner Eileen Crummy said. “She is committed to guiding and supporting the entire DYFS workforce so that those goals can be achieved.”

In addition to her recent work as DYFS Deputy Director, Mozes’ experience in DYFS spans from her first work as a college and graduate school intern at DYFS to serving as a Regional Assistant Director with oversight of seven counties in New Jersey’s southern region, as well as a DYFS Area Director with complete management responsibilities over Mercer and Burlington counties.

“I am truly honored to serve in this new position and very proud to lead New Jersey’s most dedicated and caring group of employees who make up the Division of Youth and Family Services,” said Mozes. “Everyday I am amazed by the hard work and commitment of our DYFS caseworkers, supervisors and managers who are committed to the reform we continue to undertake because they know that their efforts, working with families, mean better lives and futures for those we are here to help.”

Christine also worked for over ten years with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, serving as an assistant director for youth services and director of behavioral health.

As DYFS Director, Mozes will lead a workforce of over 4,000 employees who are responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect and, if necessary, arranging for the child’s protection and providing services and treatment for the families to support keeping kids and families together. DYFS manages the statewide foster care and adoption system for kids who can not, either temporarily or permanently, remain with their families.

Mozes received her Master of Social Work Administration, Policy and Planning from Rutgers University School of Social Work and received her Bachelor of Social Work from Stockton State College. Mozes replaces Eileen Crummy who previously served as DYFS Director until recently named DCF’s Acting Commissioner by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

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