Sherrill picks veteran child advocate for cabinet post

Completing the task of assembling a cabinet, Gov. Mikie Sherrill will nominate Joseph Ribsam, Jr. a child welfare advocate who began his career in New Jersey, to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families.

Ribsam now serves as director of Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Policy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  He was the director of New Hampshire’s Division for Children, Youth, and Families from 2017 to 2023.

Before taking the New Hampshire post, Ribsam spent nearly a decade at the department he will now lead.  He joined as legal counsel in 2008, became director of policy and legislative affairs in 2010, assistant commissioner of legal, regulatory, and legislative affairs in 2012, and deputy commissioner in 2014.

“Joe brings deep leadership experience shaping systems and policy to improve outcomes for children and families,” Sherrill said.  “With nearly a decade of prior service at the department, including as Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, we are excited to welcome him back and have him at the helm at this pivotal time.”

The Department of Children and Families has an annual budget of $2.3 billion and roughly 6,800 employees.  Gov. Jon Corzine split off the old Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) from the Department of Human Services in 2006 to ensure child safety, support family well-being, and provide behavioral health services with a goal of building strong, stable, and connected families.

Ribsam joined Gov. Chris Sununu’s administration after two young girls were killed by their mothers, after New Hampshire child protection officials recorded warning signs of abuse.  Ribsam established a division within the state Department of Health and Human Services, including expanded programs for children’s behavioral health.

“I thank Governor Sherrill for her trust and confidence,” said Ribsam. “I look forward to working with the Governor, our state partners, and the dedicated professionals at DCF to build a responsive, effective system centered on the well-being of all New Jersey’s children and families.”

He will replace Christine Norbut Beyer, who has held the post since the start of Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration in January 2018.   Norbut Beyer had been retained on an interim basis until Sherrill made a final decision on her replacement.  Ribsam is expected to assume the post of acting commissioner in the next few weeks as he awaits Senate confirmation.

“The work of DCF is so necessary, and the workforce so special and dear to my heart. I’m thrilled that the torch is being passed to someone familiar with the Department’s reform and transformation journey,” stated Beyer. “I have no doubt that Joe will continue our progress as a system and make his own mark leading the Department. I am confident that DCF will be in good hands moving forward.”

The new commissioner grew up in Ewing, where five generations of his family owned a floral shop.   He is a graduate of the College of New Jersey and Rutgers Law School.  He practiced law at a Princeton firm, Dennigan Cahill Smith, for two years before joining state government.

This story was updated at 12:26 PM with comment from Sherrill, Ribsam and Norbut Beyer.