SEATTLE—Casey Family Programs (Casey) announced that it has hired two communications directors, Marty McOmber and Norris West. Both will help the foundation advance its 2020 Strategy.
McOmber will promote the foundation’s public policy agenda and as well as the direct services Casey provides to children in foster care. He will also oversee communications support for the foundation’s Indian Child Welfare program. West will provide communications expertise on behalf of Casey to state and county child welfare agencies across the country. McOmber and West will start on May 5, 2008.
The 2020 Strategy is a plan to improve the lives of children in foster care and vulnerable families in America by building public will to:
- Safely reduce the number of children in foster care by half by the year 2020.
- Reinvest the savings to improve the child welfare system.
- Improve education, job readiness and mental health services for children in foster care.
McOmber and West bring years of experience as reporters and government communications experts.
“Marty and Norris bring strong experience in leading communications departments,” said Marianne Bichsel, managing director for communications for Casey Family Programs. “Their passion for improving the lives of children and families is an asset to this foundation and the children in foster care.”
Prior to joining Casey Family Programs, McOmber was the senior communications and policy advisor for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. At the mayor’s office, he worked to advance major policy initiatives and coordinated communications across more than two dozen city departments. From 1997 to 2005, McOmber was a staff reporter for The Seattle Times covering government, politics, business and development. He graduated from the University of Washington and received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.
“I’m honored to join in this important effort and I look forward to helping fulfill Casey’s mission of improving the lives of foster children and families across the country,” McOmber said.
West was most recently the director of communications for the Maryland Department of Human Resources. There, West led the communications and media relations for children and family services, welfare, food stamps, child support enforcement and adult services. He worked in strategic communications for two federal agencies. For over 10 years, West served as an editorial writer and reporter, covering state and federal courts, local government, and transportation for The Baltimore Sun. Prior to that, West worked for various newspapers including The Toledo Blade and The Philadelphia Tribune. He graduated from Temple University and received a master’s degree in legal and ethical studies from the University of Baltimore.
“Casey Family Programs is the national leader in promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of foster children,” West said. “I am extremely excited about joining this wonderful foundation’s mission to improve child welfare and strengthen systems so that our most vulnerable children can realistically hope for brighter futures.”