Sherrill nominates Joseph Ribsam to lead New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Former Department of Children and Families official and national policy leader would succeed longtime commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer

Gov. Mikie Sherrill nominated Joseph Ribsam to serve as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families on Monday, May 4, tapping a former agency leader and national policy official to oversee the department’s work supporting children and families across the state.

If confirmed, Ribsam would succeed Christine Norbut Beyer, who has been serving as interim commissioner during the transition and will step down after more than eight years leading the department.

The Department of Children and Families is a cabinet-level agency responsible for child protection, family services, and youth programs. It employs more than 6,600 people and works with community partners statewide to deliver services aimed at strengthening families and improving outcomes for children.

“Joe brings deep leadership experience shaping systems and policy to improve outcomes for children and families,” Sherrill said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him back and have him at the helm at this pivotal time.”

Ribsam previously spent nearly a decade at the agency, serving as deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner for legal, regulatory, and legislative affairs.

He currently serves as director of child welfare and juvenile justice policy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, where he has led national policy efforts focused on youth and family-serving systems. During his tenure, he helped establish a national children’s behavioral health collaborative and a leadership development program for state system leaders.

Before that, Ribsam led New Hampshire’s Division for Children, Youth and Families, where officials said he expanded voluntary services for at-risk families and helped build a statewide behavioral health system of care.

“I am honored to be nominated,” Ribsam said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the governor, our state partners and the dedicated professionals at DCF to build a responsive, effective system centered on the well-being of all New Jersey’s children and families.”

Beyer, who has led the department through a period of reforms focused on prevention and family-centered care, praised the selection.

“I’m thrilled that the torch is being passed to someone familiar with the department’s reform and transformation journey,” Beyer said.

Ribsam holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey and a law degree from Rutgers School of Law–Newark.

The nomination is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.