David Sanders, PhD

Dr. David Sanders joined Casey Family Programs in July 2006. He provides strategic direction over the foundation’s work with child welfare systems to improve practice, with an emphasis on safely reducing the number of children in foster care. He also oversees the foundation’s public policy and research work.

Dr. Sanders has spent his entire career in the human services field. Prior to joining Casey Family Programs, he directed all operations for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the largest county child welfare system in the country, with about 6,000 staff serving approximately 22,000 children in foster care. During his tenure, the department saw its foster care population decrease as safety and stability measures improved.

Dr. Sanders also served for 10 years as director of the Hennepin County (Minn.) Children, Family and Adult Services Department, managing a staff of 1,450. As director, he was responsible for all state and federally mandated social services to children, families, and adults in the county. Early in his career, Dr. Sanders worked in Minneapolis, first as a senior clinical psychologist in the Hennepin County Mental Health Center and later as chief clinical psychologist.