Changes with Family First Leadership

D’Arcy Robb Named Interim Family First Program Director

Mary Havick, Deputy Commissioner for Child Welfare announced May 10, 2022 that D’Arcy Robb has been named Interim Family First Program Director. Effective this month, the program’s previous director, Shelby Zimmer, has left DHS/DFCS to serve in the private sector. We wish Shelby the very best as she pursues her ongoing professional goals, and we owe her a tremendous thank you for the tenacity and dedication she brought to the role of Family First Program Director.

D’Arcy has been the Family First Program Manager since 2020. She has 10 years of experience in human services and has worked in a variety of roles, including project manager, public policy professional and frontline childcare staff. D’Arcy and Family First Program Manager Tiffany Bivins have the full support of the Division as they continue to lead this important effort.

Please know that this news does not impact the trajectory of our Family First work. Our Family First team will continue to collaborate with external partners and staff throughout the Division as we move toward the implementation of evidence-based prevention services. 

Additionally, we will continue to partner with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago for ongoing technical assistance. Plans are already in the works for a meeting of this Advisory Council. I am eager to connect with you all for a more in-depth update on the work of Family First at that time. 

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Family First and its vision of creating systemic change that positively impacts the lives of children and families. 

Related to: 

• Blueprint Family First