Los Angeles

Board of Supervisors Appoint New Department of Children and Family Services Director

LOS ANGELES – Following a six-month nationwide search process, Brandon T. Nichols has been selected to serve as the new director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services or DCFS.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed Mr. Nichols to the role of director during the June 14 Board meeting, with a start date of July 1. Director Nichols will lead a workforce of nearly 9,000 staff members in 20 regional offices who provide family-centered and child-focused protective services to more than 29,000 children.

Director Nichols, who had been serving in the role of interim director since April, indicated that his primary areas of focus beginning his tenure will be ensuring child safety, advancing race equity efforts and providing accessible, quality support to families.

A Los Angeles County employee for more than 25 years, director Nichols has worked for several departments, including DCFS where he previously served as chief deputy director for three years. During that time, he led the county’s implementation of Continuum of Care Reform, a multi-year, state-wide change designed to reduce the use of congregate care and ensure children live in family-like settings when they are unable to safely remain with their parents. Additionally, director Nichols advocated on behalf of children at legislative hearings with local, state, and federal agencies and worked closely with a diverse network of community partners.

Director Nichols began his county career with the office of the counsel, where he represented the county in cases involving child abuse and neglect in the juvenile courts. He also has worked for the probation department and, most recently, the chief executive office.

In his last position, as the executive director of the county’s jail closure implementation team, he played a significant role in efforts to develop mental health services and other supports for people incarcerated in county jails as part of Los Angeles County’s commitment to decarcerating and closing the Men’s Central Jail.
Director Nichols earned a bachelor’s degree in Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Juris Doctor Degree from the California Western School of Law in San Diego.

Terelle Jerricks

During his two decade tenure, he has investigated, reported on, written and assisted with hundreds of stories related to environmental concerns, affordable housing, development that exacerbates wealth inequality and the housing crisis, labor issues and community policing or the lack thereof.

Recent Posts

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures: Yes on 50

Gerrymandering is the bane — well, one of the banes — of our so-called democracy.…

9 hours ago

Padilla, Democrats Call on State Department to Restore Gaza Humanitarian and Medical Visas

The Senators requested a full explanation of the circumstances leading to this abrupt decision to…

11 hours ago

San Pedro City Ballet, Arts United Invite Community to Mural Unveiling Oct. 5

Misty Copeland said of the mural: “I’m incredibly honored to be featured in this stunning…

12 hours ago

Port of Long Beach Names Chief Harbor Engineer

LONG BEACH—The Port of Long Beach has named Monique Lebrun as senior director of the…

1 day ago

Unified Command Completes Salvage Operations for Pier G Container Incident

LONG BEACH — The unified command announces all 95 containers that fell overboard from the…

1 day ago

Western Avenue Work Begins Monday – Expect Delays

The LA County Sanitation Districts started work Sept 29 on a drilling project on Western…

2 days ago