County of Santa Clara Appoints New Director of Family and Children’s Services
Wendy Kinnear-Rausch, who has served as interim director of the department since January, has been with the agency since 1999 in multiple roles
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. — The County of Santa Clara has appointed longtime Social Services Agency worker and manager Wendy Kinnear-Rausch as the new Director of the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS).
Kinnear joined the County’s DFCS in 1999 and served for many years as a front-line Social Worker before being promoted to Educational Coordinator, Social Work Supervisor, Social Services Program Manager, Assistant DFCS Director, and since her predecessor’s January departure, Acting Director of DFCS.
The appointment comes after a selection process that began early this year through a national recruitment process seeking a diverse group of high-caliber candidates, gathering feedback from key stakeholders, and engaging with DFCS staff and community leaders and partners on priorities for the new director.
“Leading the Department of Family and Children’s Services is a critical role that requires strong expertise in child welfare, a commitment to working closely with staff at all levels to implement best practices, and always putting the safety and wellbeing of children at the center of the department’s work,” said County Executive James R. Williams. “I am confident that Wendy brings each of these traits and capacities, and we look forward to seeing her continue to lead swift progress on key reform efforts.”
Kinnear recently partnered with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Board of Supervisors to create and obtain approval for a Corrective Action Plan and five-year System Improvement Plan following an investigation and review of DFCS’s practices by CDSS. Both plans are being implemented, and Kinnear has provided regular public reports on these efforts to the Board of Supervisors and community stakeholders.
“I am honored and humbled to step into this role at such a critical time,” said Kinnear. “Protecting children and supporting families in our community has always been at the heart of my work. I recognize the unique challenges we are facing right now, and I am committed to leading with compassion, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. Together with our dedicated team and community partners, I look forward to lasting, meaningful changes and support for those who need it most.”
Social Services Agency Director Daniel Little said Kinnear has long demonstrated her ability to lead and cultivate improvements in the department.
“Throughout her career with the County, Wendy has been a passionate, solution-oriented leader and a respected partner with staff and community partners,” Little said. “She has been involved in many innovative and impactful programs to support children and families, and I know she will make great progress on further improving our work in the years ahead.”
Her accomplishments include launching the County’s extended foster care program, being instrumental in the redesign of the Independent Living Program, establishing the original youth HUB, and managing the South County office, where she created a model of team building and community service through staff and community engagement. She also partnered with local community colleges, Public Health, FIRST 5, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education on a federal grant to expand training at daycare facilities on child abuse reporting and how to better support foster families.
The Hon. Shawna Schwarz, Supervising Judge for the Santa Clara County Juvenile Dependency Court, offered congratulations from the bench on Kinnear’s appointment.
“Ms. Kinnear has a track record of being responsive to and passionate about the needs of those children and families,” Judge Schwarz said. “The Juvenile Dependency Court judges look forward to working with Ms. Kinnear to ensure our families have what they need to provide safe, stable homes for their children.”
“Wendy will lead with enormous energy and heart,” said Assistant District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro, who chairs the Child Abuse Prevention Council. “We are excited about working with her to protect the safety of kids.”
Kinnear’s appointment is effective July 7, 2025.