Seattle – Casey Family Programs today announced that William Bell, Commissioner of New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services will join the foundation as its new executive vice president of child and family services. Bell will oversee Casey’s direct services and outcomes and quality improvement work.
Appointed Commissioner in 2001, Bell has spent his career protecting children. Under his tenure foster care admissions in New York City are down significantly, more children are living with their families safely and more adoptions are being completed. This year, Bell was also appointed to the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care.
“William Bell has achieved terrific results in one of the most challenging environments for child welfare practices in the nation,” said Ruth Massinga, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs. “I’m confident Williams’ leadership of our direct services will build on Casey’s nearly 40-year legacy in foster care. As a long time advocate for vulnerable children he brings a clear vision, and a proven track record for delivering innovative services and strengthening families.”
Currently the foundation has 17 field offices across the country and collaborates with foster, kinship, and adoptive parents to provide safe, permanent and loving families for youth in foster care. Casey also works with counties, states, and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to improve services and outcomes for the more than 500,000 young people in out-of-home care. The foundation is especially committed to working with youth over the age of 11 because they and their siblings may have fewer opportunities for adoption and placement in the general child welfare system.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Casey Family Programs, the foundation has an excellent national reputation for its work and commitment to children and families,” said Bell. “New York has given me so much over the past 21 years and I look forward to extending those shared successes in ways that will benefit more youth and families across the country.”
Bell will join the executive team of Casey Family Programs and will take over his new responsibilities in July 2004.