New DCYF director nominated – what we know

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Dan McKee on Tuesday named Ashley Deckert, of Illinois, as his nominee to become the new director of the state Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Deckert, 39, is currently the director of public policy and government affairs with the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, where her responsibilities include oversight of proposed legislation for improving the child welfare system.

She also works as an adjunct instructor in the University of Illinois School of Social Work and has guest-lectured at Illinois State University.

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What comes next?

If confirmed by the state Senate, Deckert would replace veteran DCYF administrator Kevin Aucoin, who has served as DCYF's interim director since August 2019. Aucoin was the department's deputy director and executive counsel when he agreed to become the acting director while the state conducted a search for a successor to Trista Piccola.

Piccola, appointed by Gov. Gina Raimondo in January 2017, announced in July of 2019 she was stepping down following the release of an investigation by the state child advocate and a panel of child-care professionals that found that years of ineptitude by the DCYF had contributed to the death of a 9-year-old Warwick girl.

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In a statement, McKee said, “Ashley has dedicated her successful career to enhancing the wellbeing of children and families. She is an experienced leader with a proven track record, and I am grateful she is bringing that knowledge and experience [to] Rhode Island.”

What is Ashley Deckert's background?

Deckert has over 16 years of experience in various sectors of child welfare. She began her career as a foster care child welfare specialist in Illinois and spent 13 years at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in roles ranging from child protection to licensing and eventually as deputy director of child services.

Deckert said she was honored to be considered for the position.

“If confirmed,” she said, “I look forward to working with amazing and dedicated staff, community-based providers, the Rhode Island General Assembly, the union and other pertinent stakeholders to impact systems change and work toward continual improvement of the child and family well-being system in Rhode Island.”

Deckert holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in public policy.

As DCYF director, Deckert will oversee the department’s four divisions – Child Welfare, Child Protective Services, Juvenile Correctional Services, and Permanency. DCYF is an agency within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The DCYF has a budget of $296 million and a workforce of 702 positions.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New Rhode Island DCYF director nominated – what comes next