Governor Jerry Brown reached across the country this month, to New Jersey, in selecting Alisha Griffin as his director of the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). Griffin takes over from Kathleen Hrepich, who served as interim director since April 2011.

She holds a master of science degree in clinical psychology and a master of arts degree in community psychology from the University of Bridgeport.

Griffin joined the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) in 1987. She served in multiple positions, including administrator at the Office of Case Practice and Emergency Services and regional administrator for the Division of Youth and Family Central Region.

Griffin was appointed director of the DHS Office of Child Support Services in 1998 and held the position until her appointment by Brown.

She has been very active on the national and international scene, representing the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) as a member of the delegation to the Hague Private Law Convention on Child Maintenance and Family Support. She also served as an observer/ program advisor to NCCSUL on the revisions to UIFSA to incorporate the new convention into U.S. laws.

Griffin was president of the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA), the National Council of Child Support Directors (NCCSD) and the National Family Preservation Network (NFPN). She has served on NCSEA’s Policy and Government Relations committee and the Executive Council of NCCSD. She was chair of the subcommittee on Medical Support, which dealt with issues related to child support and implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Griffin represented NCSEA as a member of the delegation to the Hague Private Law Convention on Child Maintenance and Family Support. She also served for 10 years as a commissioner for the New Jersey Executive Commission on Ethical Standards.

Griffin is married to Thomas Crook. She teaches yoga, is a weaver and is said to be working on becoming a master gardener.

This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $154,615. Griffin is a Democrat.

–Ken Broder

To Learn More:

Governor Brown Announces Appointments

Alish Griffin (LinkedIn)

Newly Elected Directors (National Child Support Enforcement Association)

Griffin, Alisha (pdf)