11-3-08-Mark Washington appointed new Assistant Commissioner at DHR
Commissioner Walker makes DHR executive appointment
Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner B.J. Walker announces the appointment of Mark A. Washington as assistant commissioner at DHR responsible for both the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). The former commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services who helped improve Kentucky’s child welfare system, Washington brings a wealth of government and private sector experience to DFCS.
More »
Mark Washington named DFCS Chief
November 3, 2008
ATLANTA (GA) – Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner B.J. Walker announces the appointment of Mark A. Washington as assistant commissioner at DHR responsible for both the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). The former commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services who helped improve Kentucky’s child welfare system, Washington brings a wealth of government and private sector experience to DFCS.
"Mark has been an innovator in child welfare," said Commissioner Walker. "He’s developed award-winning approaches to child welfare case management, including being the first in the U.S. to develop a unique research and evaluation unit for Kentucky’s child welfare system. Mark has the skills and vision to hit the ground running in our mission to strengthen Georgia’s families. His ability to build relationships among stakeholders in the public and private sectors will be a great asset."
"I’m pleased to have Mark come aboard," said David Statton, DHR’s chief operating officer and chief of staff. "His leadership and solution-based management style is a perfect fit for this agency. His dedication to improving child welfare earned him the 2008 Leadership Award, State Level, from Prevent Child Abuse America."
As assistant commissioner, Washington is responsible for a wide variety of programs, including child protective services, economic assistance to families and child support services.
As commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, Washington was responsible for 4,700 employees with a $1 billion annual budget. He joined the agency as executive officer to the Undersecretary of Health but was soon appointed deputy commissioner and then commissioner. In his three years at the agency, Washington developed a vision to coordinate services across the direct services continuum of care and focus on more accessible "front end" services for at-risk families.
He led program and policy development, evaluation, funding, worker safety and modernization efforts. He was part of a leadership team that passed legislation resulting in $6 million in improvements for Kentucky’s state child welfare system. He also streamlined operating procedures, built effective work teams, developed an innovative way to measure the impact of primary prevention services, and addressed Kentucky’s efforts to correct racial disparities.
Prior to his work in human and social services public administration, Washington spent nearly 15 years in the private sector. His business background includes audit, revenue and funds maximization, cost control, and operational efficiency reviews.
Washington and his wife Kristie have four daughters.