MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
October 7, 2021
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Councilofthe District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law
2-142; D.C. Official Code 1-523.01, and pursuant to section 302a of the Prevention of Child
Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977, effective April 4, 2001 (D.C. Law 13-277; D.C. Official
Code 4-1303.02a), I am pleased to nominate the following person:
Mr. Robert Matthews
Queens Stroll Place SE
Washington, DC 20019
(Ward 7)
for appointment as the Director of the Child and Family Services Agency, to serve at the pleasure of
the Mayor.
Enclosed you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation
process.
I would appreciate the Councils earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Singyely,
Murfel E. Bbayser
 Chairman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Chairman Phil Mendelson, at the request of the Mayor, introduced the following resolution,
which was referred to the Committee on
To confirm the appointment of Mr. Robert Matthews as the Directorofthe Child and Family
Services Agency.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
resolution may be cited as the Child and Family Services Agency Robert Matthews
Confirmation Resolution of 2021
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
Mr. Robert Matthews
Queens Stroll Place SE
Washington, DC 20019
(Ward 7)
as Director of the Child and Family Services Agency, pursuant to section 302aofthe Prevention
ofChild Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977, effective April 4, 2001 (D.C. Law 13-277; D.C
32 Official Code 4-1303.02a), to serve at the pleasure of the Mayor.
33 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
34 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
 Robert L. Matthews, M.S.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain an executive level position with achild and family serving organization that will allow me to use
my educational and work experiences to enhance the service delivery and day to day operations of the
organization to improve the livesofthe most vulnerable citizens.
EDUCATION
MAY 2007
Cumberland University Lebanon, TN
Masterof Science in Public Administration
May 2001
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
Bachelor of Science
Major: Social Sciences with a concentration in Psychology and Social Work
EXPERIENCE & EMPLOYMENT
Child & Family Services Agency Washington, D.C.
Job Title- Acting Director
June 2021- PRESENT
* Provide oversight of CFSAs Programmatic, Administrative and Operational areas to include:
Entry Services, Program Operations, Office of Well-Being, Office General Counsel, Office of
Public Information, Office of Planning, Policy and Program Support, Community Partnerships,
and The Program Outcomes Unit
+ Ensure sound financial stewardship by managing CFSAs budget and fiscal operations
* Serve on various community commissions, sub-committees and panels to improve the quality of
life for the most vulnerable population of abused and neglected children
Partner with other government agencies within the Health and Human Services Cluster to
problem solve systemic issues that impact the cities at-risk families and communities
Job Title- Principal Deputy Director
September 2019- July 2021
* Provide administrative oversight of CFSA Program Areas to include: Entry Services, Program
Operations, Office of Well-Being and The Program Outcomes Unit
* Memberofthe City-Wide Fatality Committee tasked with reviewing child deaths to reduce infant
mortality
* Served on various community commissions, sub-committees and panels to improve the quality
of life for the most vulnerable population of abused and neglected children
* Collaborate with Program Deputy Directors to provide fiscal oversight of local and federal dollars
 Oversee the Finish-Line initiative to improve CFSA performance to achieve The Lashawn
Consent Decree exit standards
Oversee all clinical practice to ensure positive outcomes for children, youth and families in the
District of Columbia
Job Title- Deputy Director of Entry Services
April 2018- September 2019
+ Provide administrative oversight ofthe following areas: Child Protective Services (CPS), Family
Assessment (Alternative Response), Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, Diligent Search,
Educational Neglect Triage Unit and the In-Home Administration
+ Provide direct supervision to (3) Administrators, (7) Program Managers and (1) Data Analyst
+ Member of the City-Wide Fatality Committee tasked with reviewing child deaths to reduce infant
mortality
+ Oversee the Quality Service Review process for In-Home families to improve clinical practice
+ Oversee the Acceptable Investigation and Family Assessment process to improve the overall
quality of CPS clinical practice
+ Ensure financial stewardship of Flexible Funds for families who are at-risk of entering the formal
foster care system by providing emergency assistance
Job Title- Deputy Director of Entry Service/ (Interim) Deputy Director of Program Operations
March 2019- May 2019
+ Provide administrative oversightofthe following areas: Foster Care Permanency Services, Off ice
Youth Empowerment, Parent Engagement Education and Resource Unit (PEER), Post
Permanency Services
+ Review and approve all adoption and guardianship subsidies
+ Oversee the Quality Service Review process for Out of Home families to improve clinical
practice
+ Oversee the Permanency Goal Review Meeting to identify and resolve barriers to permanency
Job Title- Deputy Director of Community Partnerships Administration
December 2016- April 2018
+ Provided administrative oversight of the following areas: In-Home Services, Title IV-E Waiver,
The Mayors Liaison Office, Housing Support and Assistance, Mobile Crisis Stabilization
Services, Homemaker Services and The Wayne Place Transitional Living Campus
+ Provided direct supervision to (1) Administrator and (4) Program Managers
+ Oversaw the District's community-based providers to ensure child welfare involved families
received in-home services to prevent child/youth removals
* Collaborated with other District Agencies such as The Department of Human Services, The
Department ofBehavioral Health and The Department of Health to better support the safety net
for families
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, MD
Job itle- Senior Associate
January 2015- December 2016
Serves as a technical resource providing content expertise and strategic input regarding child
welfare reform efforts
Oversee deployment of technical assistance and perform analysis in supportof reform initiatives
on a national scale.
Implement Evidenced Based Practices that are aimed at improving overall Child Welfare
Outcomes
Assist in developing local and national legislation geared toward enhancing safety, permanency
and well-beingofat-risk families and foster children/youth
Child & Family Services Agency Washington, D.C.
Job Title- Administrator for the Placement and Kinship Administrations September
2013- January 2015
Provide administrative oversight for (4) Program Managers that consist of both the Placement and
Kinship Administrations that encompass: Kinship Family Licensing and Support Services,
Family Team Meetings, The Grandparent Caregivers Program, The Kinship Diversion Program,
Diligent Search, Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program, Mental and Behavioral Health,
Interstate Compact, Mobile Crisis Stabilization and Placement Services
Ensure financial stewardship over a budget of$70,000,000.00 to ensure appropriate placement
matching and stability with the goalof reaching permanency in a timely manner
Develop policy and protocols that support placing children in the least restrictive placement
Coordinate on-going with the Department of Behavioral Health to ensure all initial and replaced
children/youth receive a mental health screening and are linked with services through the Core
Service Agencies
Job Title- Interim Administrator for the Child Protective Services Administration April
2013- September 2013
Develops Child Protective Services or Family Assessment Administration plans, procedures and
resources for all aspects of major incidents.
Organizes and manages a quality driven administration which operates 24 hours per days 7 days
per week and handles high risk, crisis intervention and time limited cases/issues.
Coordinates, plans and manages the Administration's activities relating to investigating reports of
child abuse and neglect. Establishes a strengths-based approach to investigating, preventing and
servicing children and families within the context ofcultural competency.
Provide direct supervision to (4) program managers to ensure the efficiency of day to day
operationsofthe administration
Interact with external partners such as : D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Child Advocacy
Center and Children's Hospital to ensure the safety of abused and neglected children in the
district
Job Title- Program Manager of the Kinship Support Di sion September
2012-April 2013
Provide administrative oversightofthe Kinship Family Licensing & Support Unit, the Family
Team Meeting Unit, Grandparent Caregiver Program and the Kinship Diversion Program
Coordinate all child protective services removals to expedite the emergency licensing process and
ensure the timely identification and placement with relatives and kin
Coordinates across administrations to assist with transitioning children from traditional foster care
to kin or relative family set
Maintain financial stewardshipofall expenditures to ensure budgetary compliance with the
agency's overall financial goal
Job Title- Kinship Care Consultant June
4, 2012-September 2012
Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of data
management systems for the improvementofdata flow and collection. Reviews kinship and
placement program operations to determine compliance with established program goals and
objectives.
Maintains statistical data and assists in the development of reports that summarize
recommendations and corrective action activities from Family Team Meetings, Diligent Search,
and Kinship Care, to include Kinship emergency and full licensure, training and ongoing support.
Assists with the coordination of staff training as directed, emphasizing the importance of kinship
placements. Interfaces with courts and court personnel in support of kinship placements.
Collaborates with administrative staff to determine work related changes or significant policy
changes. Initiates, directs and studies activities needed for making or recommending changes.
Tennessee Department ofHuman Services Nashville, TN
Temporary Executive Appointment (March 2011-August 2011) Job Title- Assistant Commissioner
of Adult & Family Services
Appointment Date (March 23, 2011- August 26, 2011)
Provided administrative oversight for the following program areas: TANF (Family Assistance),
Child Certificate Program, Food Stamps (SNAP), The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP),
Child Care Licensing and Assessment, Family Assistance Call Centers, Weatherization, Adult
Protective Services, Homemaker Services, Adult Day Care, Contracts Division, Communit
Service Block Grants (CSBG), Social Service Block Grants (SSBG) and Medicaid Eligi ity
Providing direct supervisionofField Operations encompassing (8) Field Management Directors
overseeing (3500) staff in (95) counties to provide public assistance and social services to the
most vulnerable citizens in Tennessee.
Providing direct supervision of (7) central office directors in providing strategic direction, policy
development and implementation for the department.
 Marylands Department ofHuman Resources Social Services Administration (SSA) Baltimore, MD
Number of Personnel Supervised- (2) Administrative Staff Persons (8) Central Office Executive
Staff Job Title- Chief of Staff
Dates of Employment- March 10, 2010-March 28, 2011
* To coordinate and manage SSA activities and priorities that cross multiple SSA offices, including
the officesof Child Welfare Policy & Practice, Resource Development, Placement, and Support
Services, Research, Evaluation and Systems Development, Training and Organizational
Development, Management and Special Services, Budget and Adult Services
Oversee all aspects ofthe activities of SSA that involve the Child and Family Services Review,
Child and Family Services Five Year Plan, John F. Chafee Program and Kinship Care Services
Interacts with DHR and SSA staffs for the completion of agency goals and objectives
Maintain effective professional working relationships with membersofthe court, General
Assembly, media, public/private businesses national advocacy and research organizations and a
wide varietyofother stakeholders at the local, State, and Federal government levels.
Overseeing technical assistance efforts to local jurisdictions to improve Place Matters goals for
child welfare improvement.
The Tennessee Department ofChildrens Service Nashville, TN
Job Title- Director of Relative Caregiver Support / Families First Kinship Care Program/ Resource
Linkage of Multiple Response System (Executive Service with the Office of Child Safety)
Dates of Employment- May 2006 February 2010
* Develop operational procedures for all regional Resource Linkage Coordinators across the state of
Tennessee to assure families and children receive equitable and quality services that align with the
Departments mission and values
Facilitate Community Advisory Board Summits annually to provide external stakeholders with
strategies on community partnerships and how to effectively use these boards to ensure the safety
and protection of children within local communities.
Facilitate regional and statewide meetings to discuss regional and statewide issues, concerns,
improvements and achievements being made as well as providing technical assistance and training
to all Resource Linkage Coordinators
To develop and connect available resources to children and families in need of services without
intervention from the formal child welfare system, by linking families up with existing resources in
their community in order to keep children and families safe and stable.
* Supervise the Program Coordinatorofthe Tennessee Childrens Trust Fund to ensure that the state
prevention funds are braided with the Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Funds (CBCAP)
and are used properly with the outcome of reducing child abuse across the state by monitoring
service providers through Performance Based Contracting.
Manage a program budget of 4 million dollars
Providing administrative / managerial oversite ofthe Relative Caregiver Program and the Families
First Kinship Care Program for the state ofTennessee
Provide supervision for (3) central officestaff (10) regional directors and over (75) service delivery
staff across the stateof Tennessee.
Director of the Kinship Support Network May 2006-May 2007
Grant Administrator of Community Service Providersofthe Relative Caregiver Program
Providing administrative/ managerial over site of the Relative Caregiver Program and the
Families First Kinship Care Program for the state of Tennessee
Manage a program budget of 4 million dollars
Develop and implement new and innovative programs and services for kinship families
Help build community partnership to enhance service delivery
Provide child welfare data to state and federal stakeholders
Evaluate community based agencies by tracking their performance through monthly, quarterly,
and annual reports
Interpret state and federal laws to assure program compliance
Committee memberofthe agencys Internal Contract Review Committee and Subsidized
Permanent Guardianship Communications and Procedures Steering Committee
Provide supervision for (2) central officestaffand (10) regional program directors that encompass
(55) service delivery staff across the state of Tennessee
Family & Childrens Service Davidson County Relative Caregivers Program Nashville, TN
Job Title- Service Coordinator / Interim Director
Dates of Employment- April 2002-May 2006 Service Coordinator
Plan, implement, and coordinate respite and recreational services, outreach, and vocational
services for children and relative caregivers
Prepare and submit required monthly reports to the Department ofChildrens Services
Develop and operate a volunteer support network which includes working with other community
agencies to establish a volunteer pool
Research and write grants
Develop and maintain program budget
Monitor mentoring and summer enrichment program
Supervise the Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator and the Caregiver Group Specialist
Interim Director (5-month tenure July 2004-November 2004)
Oversee all aspects of the kinship family programs and grant application process
Interpret relevant state and federal laws and policies to assure program compliance
Developed and manages program budget
Maintained positive relationships with contracting and collaborating agencies
Supervised a staff of approximately 10 persons
Coordinator of Youth & Volunteer Services
Coordinated all aspects of the youth and volunteer program which included
Providing program evaluation to ensure quality service delivery
Supervising respite, recreational staff, and volunteers.
Recreational & Respite Coordinator
Oversaw all aspectsofthe recreational activities for the children and relative caregivers
Supervised respite, recreational staff, and volunteers
Developed other programs in accordance with the agencys objectives.
Eighteenth Avenue Enrichment Center Nashville, TN
Job Title- School Age Coordinator Assistance
Dates of Emp