Olympia — The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announces the new Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Field Operations Kwesi Booker. Kwesi has over 20 years of experience working in child welfare and began his career in 1998 as a group home case manager in New York City. Kwesi obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He expressed his dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of children and developing staff to help meet the needs of the families they serve.

“We welcome Kwesi’s years of experience and proven leadership in child welfare,” said Ross Hunter, DCYF Secretary. We will need his passion and commitment to accomplish our goals of improving outcomes for all of Washington’s children.”

Kwesi served at the New York City Administration for Children Services (ACS) for over 13 years and brings to Washington his knowledge of working with medically fragile children, foster children and youth. Kwesi also became one of the leading champions for Kinship care at A Second Chance Inc. located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The knowledge obtained led him to work with medically fragile children in foster care at Community Connections located in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

“Kwesi has a passion not only for children, youth and families, but for his staff. said Jody Becker, Deputy Secretary of Programs for Children and Families. His commitment to developing staff will resonate with our frontline workers, supervisors and leadership alike.”

Since 2016, Kwesi has served as a County Director in the state of Georgia, where he led the state towards increased fundamental performance margins and attained measures under the Kenny A. consent decree.
 

###