David A. Hansell[1] is an American advocate and expert on public policy and programs that provide assistance to vulnerable populations.
[8] Other notable legislation included a law requiring the State of New York to pay the health insurance premiums of people with HIV.
In February 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio named Hansell as the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services to replace Gladys Carrion, who had recently resigned.
[10] As ACS Commissioner, Hansell has worked to improve the overall agency by hiring at least 600 new child protective workers, reducing the caseload from 14.8 in May 2017 down to 12 as of February 2018.
[11] After leaving ACS in 2021, Hansell joined Casey Family Programs, the nation’s largest operating foundation dedicated to reducing the need for foster care, as Senior Advisor for Child Welfare Policy.
Hansell also launched New York State’s first Internet portal for clients to apply for multiple government benefit programs: myBenefits.
[12] The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) administers and funds a broad range of social and economic support programs for vulnerable individuals, children, and families, focusing on early childhood development, child welfare, income support, workforce engagement, and economic development.