Lena Alhusseini was honored in 2011 for her work with child protection programs.
Courtesy of the Arab American Family Support Center
Oregon's child welfare system will have a new leader in November. The Oregon Department of Human Services Wednesday announced the results of a nationwide job search.
Lena Alhusseini comes to Oregon from New York City, where she directs an Arab-American community organization. She's been hired to lead Oregon's foster care system, which has recently come under fire.
News reports last year showed that top officials ignored repeated warnings about possible abuse at state licensed foster homes.
The previous director of the foster care program was fired in March.
Alhusseini was honored by the White House in 2011 for her work with child protection programs. She starts her new job in November, but will visit Salem this month for an initial round of meetings with Oregon lawmakers.