New York names human services and IT deputy secretary
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the appointment of Louisa Chafee to serve as Deputy Secretary for Human Services and Information Technology. She replaces Kristin Proud who was confirmed as Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
As Deputy Secretary for Human Services and Information Technology, Louisa will oversee several key state agencies in delivering services to New Yorkers, including the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office of Children and Family Services. She will also continue the Governor’s work in several enterprise-wide shared services initiatives such as the creation of the Office of Information Technology Services and technology procurement reform.
“I am pleased to welcome Louisa Chafee to serve as Deputy Secretary of Human Services and Information Technology on our team,” Governor Cuomo said. “With her extensive experience in human services, she will be a critical addition to our state government’s work to protect and care for our most vulnerable populations, and contributing to our efforts to streamline and keep our government up to date with today’s technology-driven world. I thank her for her commitment to serving the people of the State of New York.”
“Governor Cuomo’s leadership team demonstrates the highest level of commitment to excellence in human services,” said Ms. Chafee. “I am honored to join the team and excited to work together to continue improving access and quality in policies and programs. I sincerely thank Governor Cuomo for appointing me to this position and I embrace this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers.”
Louisa Chafee most recently served as Executive Director for Management Innovation in the office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in New York City. In this capacity, she managed a wide range of complex projects using information technologies to support health and human service programs. She launched HHS Accelerator, which is strengthening NYC’s nonprofit community by changing the procurement and payment of NYC’s health and human service providers. She was a founding member of the HHS Connect initiative, which links data to improve access to and quality of social services. Her focus on social services, data and information technology have brought savings and efficiencies for both government and nonprofit providers.
Prior, Ms. Chafee worked at NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services, and was a Fellow with the Robert Bosch Foundation. Louisa received a B.A from Macalester College and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.
