June 20, 2019
Contact: Katherine Morris
katherine.morris@maryland.gov
410-767-8944
Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Lourdes R. Padilla Announces New Director of Baltimore City Department of Social Services
Secretary Padilla and Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young jointly appoint Dr. Randi Walters as the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, effective June 19
Baltimore, MD— Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Lourdes Padilla has announced that following a nationwide search, she and Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young have jointly appointed Dr. Randi Walters as the next Director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS). Walters formerly served as the Deputy Secretary of Programs at the Maryland Department of Human Services.
“Deputy Secretary Walters has directed the day-to-day operations at BCDSS since March and has made a significantly positive impact during the short time she has led the Department,” said Secretary Padilla. “Combined with her exemplary leadership as the Department of Human Service’s Deputy Secretary of Programs, and her more than 25 years of experience in the health and human services field at the local, state, and federal level, there is no better person to lead the Baltimore City Department of Social Services than Dr. Walters.”
In her former role at the Maryland Department of Human Services, Walters oversaw the Social Services, Family Investment, and Child Support Administrations, and provided strategic direction to the 24 local Departments of Social Services.
“Having experience at both the front line as a child protective services worker and at the executive level serving in federal and state agencies, I understand the importance of using data to drive performance improvement to better serve those who need us most,” said Dr. Walters. “I also understand the importance of building and maintaining collaborative partnerships with employees at all levels within the organization, as well as with our community partners. I am firmly committed to building upon this administration’s progress and bringing innovative approaches to improving the lives of the most vulnerable. It is an honor to continue to proudly serve my state and my profession in this new role.”
During her career, Dr. Walters has managed multi-million dollars in annual federal spending, administrative oversight of programs, provision of training and technical assistance to State and Federal clients, direct services to children and families, and clinical supervision of social work staff. She has substantive knowledge of government administration, child welfare policy development and policy analysis, contract and grant oversight, organizational improvement and program implementation, and mental health and social work practice.
Walters earned her Ph.D. in Social Work and a Certificate in Women’s Studies from Howard University. She received her MSW-C from California State University, San Bernardino, and her B.S. in Psychology from John Brown University.
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state’s primary social service provider, annually reaching more than one million people. Through its 24 local departments of social services, the agency pursues opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide preventive services, and protect vulnerable children and adults in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. Additional information may be found at dhs.maryland.gov.
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