Department of Human Services

Child welfare veteran appointed new deputy commissioner for children's services

TRENTON – Former Clinton administration and Delaware child welfare chief Kathi Way was named today by Department of Human Services (DHS) commissioner Jim Davy to the position of deputy commissioner for the Office of Children's Services. In this position, Way will oversee the state's massive child welfare reform effort.

As part of the Department's efforts to fill the position, a national search was conducted over the past several months. Way was selected from a field of several candidates representing many of the state's leading child welfare systems.

For the past six weeks, Way had served as acting deputy commissioner while also maintaining the role of assistant commissioner for the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services (DCBHS). In her new role, Way will oversee the Office of Children's Services which includes the DCBHS, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and the Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships (DPCP).

“Kathi has played an integral part in our child welfare reform plan and distinguished herself as a strong advocate for children and families,” said Commissioner Davy. “We are fortunate to have someone who brings with her an extensive child welfare background at both the state and federal levels.”

During the early 1990's, Way was a special assistant to President Bill Clinton and served on the President's Domestic Policy Council. In this role, Way worked with a core group of federal officials to develop several legislative proposals that would later become the administration's welfare to work program. Prior to her federal appointment, Way worked for several years for Delaware Governor Mike Castle concentrating on health care and welfare reform policies.

In 1995, Way left the Clinton administration to return to Delaware as the state's director of the Division of Family Services, the equivalent of New Jersey 's DYFS. In this capacity, she led the state's efforts to reform its child welfare system and created a number of initiatives including reduced caseload standards for front line staff and 24/7 response to child abuse and neglect allegations.

During this time, Way also served as a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Consultation Group on Child Welfare Outcomes. The group provided input and guidance on the federal government's efforts to improve services for children and families through the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). Through ASFA, guidelines were established to reduce abuse and neglect incidents, reduce time children spent in foster care and increase adoptions.

“I would like to thank Commissioner Davy for placing his trust in me,” said Way. “Since my time in New Jersey , I have been astonished by his support and dedication to our children and families. As someone who worked extensively on the child welfare reform plan, I believe the pieces are in place to create one of the best child welfare systems in the nation.”

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