David A. Berns, appointed by Mayor Vincent C. Gray, serves as the Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS).  Mr. Berns comes to DHS from the Casey Family Programs where he served as the Executive Vice President for Child and Family Services since 2006.  He provided strategic direction to the foundation’s nine field offices in Arizona, California, Idaho, Texas and Washington, and its Indian Child Welfare office in Colorado.  Mr. Berns stated that he is “excited and humbled by the challenge and opportunity to join the team at DHS to continue the work of serving our most vulnerable populations."

 

Prior to joining the Casey Family Programs, Mr. Berns served as director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security.  In Arizona, he managed a staff of 10,000 employees and a budget of $2.7 billion, leading Arizona's welfare programs, development disabilities services, employment services, child welfare, child support, aging and community services. 

 

Mr. Berns received his Master of Arts in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University and his Master in Social Work and bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.   Mr. Berns was named Social Worker of the Year in 1999 by the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.  He also received the Award for Excellence in Public Child Welfare Administration from the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators.