[Archived] Department of Human Services Director is Appointed

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2003
PIO 128-03

Debra R. Collins Appointed Director
Alexandria Department of Human Services

Alexandria City Manager Philip Sunderland has appointed Debra R. Collins as the Director of the Department of Human Services effective Sept. 15.

Collins has worked for the Erie County, N.Y., Department of Social Services since June of 1995. She was appointed to her current position, Second Deputy Commissioner, in 2001. Collins is third in command over the staff of 1,760 employees and a $414 million budget. She has direct supervision for 400 employees in the areas of child and adult protection, foster care, adoption, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency and preventive services. She is also involved in community, legislative and judicial partnerships.

Prior to her current position, Collins had direct supervision over public affairs for the Department of Social Services and public assistance intake divisions, as well as being the liaison to the Erie County Legislature.

Before coming to the Erie County Department of Social Services, Collins worked for the YWCA of Western New York as the director of housing, was a coordinator for programs for at-risk youth at the non-profit St. Augustine’s Center, and had been involved in programs for the homeless.

Collins holds a Master of Arts Degree in English from Buffalo State College, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Canisius College. Both schools are in Buffalo, N.Y.

"Ms. Collins has a strong background in many of the program areas that are part of Alexandria's Department of Human Services," said Sunderland. "In addition, a significant amount of her work has been with non-profit and community groups. I believe that Ms. Collins will bring the vision, management and program expertise needed to lead the Department of Human Services. I look forward to having Ms. Collins on the City’s management team."

Collins was selected from a group of talented candidates following a nation-wide search. The City's Department of Human Services has been under the leadership of Beverly Steele, Interim Director since September 2002.