Submitted by Community Youth Services
Community Youth Services (CYS) has announced the appointment of Derek Harris as their new Chief Executive Officer. He will assume responsibilities on July 20, 2018 and will succeed Scott Hanauer, who is retiring.
Derek has been part of the CYS team for over 16 years, beginning as the program director at Haven House before being promoted to Deputy Director. During that time he has supported the expansion of early intervention, behavioral health, foster care, crisis residential centers and high risk youth services while being responsible for strategic planning, contract compliance, fund development, budgeting, and employee development and supervision.
Derek has been committed to national and community service throughout his career of over 26 years. He believes in strengthening the community by empowering youth and families to create their own success. He enjoys working in a community that shares that belief. “I’ve had the pleasure of dedicating the majority of my career working for Community Youth Services. In doing so, I have firsthand experience in not only seeing the value of the services we provide but the impact we are making in the community. We have led changes that have increased services not only in our community but have created programs to support at-risk youth across the state. I am honored to continue to serve the community and the agency that I care deeply about and to continue my passion for this work in this newly appointed important and vital role.”
Harris has worked in social services with youth/young adult programs for over 23 years in non-profit administration and direct service for youth and young adult programs with titles of Assistant Director, Program Director, Deputy Director and now Chief Executive Officer. He is a certified peer monitor for the Family and Youth Services Bureau, the Chair of the Thurston County Homeless Housing Hub (local continuum of care), and the Chair of the Balance of State Continuum of Care- Youth Subcommittee with members from 34 counties across WA State. Derek works to advocate for youth issues at the local, state and federal levels. As an active Peer Monitor for the Federal Family Youth Services Bureau, he conducts national reviews of other agencies’ program fidelity. He is the CYS lead for the Thurston Thrives Initiatives, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, the Washington Coalition for Homeless Youth Advocacy and the National Network for Youth.
After serving our country in the Army in Europe and Southwest Asia, Derek relocated to Thurston County, his home now for over 26 years where he resides with his wife, Robyn. Derek graduated from The Evergreen State College with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Social Work. He volunteers as a Post 11402 member for The Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Derek was selected following a thorough, national search process which resulted in a field of exceptional candidates from all over. The interest in the position is a testament to the reputation and outstanding leadership of the volunteers and staff at Community Youth Services. Current CEO, Scott Hanauer said, “There is an enormous opportunity that lies ahead for CYS and we couldn’t be happier with having Derek lead the organization to achieve the goals laid out before us.”
Community Youth Services is a nonprofit organization empowering youth, young adults and families since 1970. CYS is an integrated service agency providing a continuum of programs across shelter/housing, education/vocation, out-of-home care, juvenile justice, behavioral health, and early intervention with service offices located in Thurston, Mason, Lewis and Pierce Counties. CYS is one of the largest child welfare agencies in the South Sound with over 22 programs, serving over 6,500 youth and families annually. CYS’ mission is to provide a continuum of individualized services and advocacy to empower youth and families to meet their goals of safety, stability, belonging and success.
CYS will host a meet and greet open house to meet the new CEO on July 25, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the CYS main building located at 711 State Ave, NE, Olympia, WA. The public is welcome to attend.
