PROVIDENCE – Trista D. Piccola has been selected to lead the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families, according to an announcement from Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and R.I. Health and Human Services Secretary Elizabeth H. Roberts on Tuesday.
Raimondo will submit Piccola’s name to the state Senate today for consideration.
Piccola has dedicated her career to improving the “well-being of children, families and communities,” Raimondo said.
“She brings to this new role a strong background in child welfare and extensive government leadership experience. I am very pleased to have recruited strong, permanent leadership that will help us improve outcomes for kids and families and build on the strong foundation for reform we have established at DCYF over the last two years,” Raimondo said in prepared remarks.
Roberts said Piccola was selected as DCYF director following a robust national search.
Piccola has more than 20 years of child welfare experience, starting her career as a protective services case manager at Lorain County Children Services in Elyria, Ohio. She currently serves as deputy director of Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services in Cleveland.
“Rhode Island’s child welfare system is in the midst of reform and moving in the right direction,” Piccola said. “I look forward to building on the great work the Raimondo administration has accomplished on behalf of our youth and families. I will work hand-in-hand with the dedicated DCYF staff to move this important work forward. It’s an exciting and challenging time to join the team.”
Piccola will succeed Jamia McDonald, who during her tenure as director helped improve preventative services to families, and reduced the number of children in group homes.
As DCYF director, Piccola will oversee the department’s four divisions: Child Welfare, Child Protective Services, Juvenile Correctional Services and Permanency. She will manage a department of more than 500 employees and $220 million budget for this fiscal year.
Piccola holds a bachelor of arts from Baldwin Wallace College in justice, and a master’s in social work and a PH.D in social welfare from Western Reserve University.
