FSU Alumna Appointed Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Shevaun Harris (MSW, 2004; BA, 2002) to serve as the secretary for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Harris will replace DCF Secretary Chad Poppell.

“Early on in my career, I pursued my master’s degree in social work because I wanted to make a difference,” Harris said. “During my time at the Agency for Health Care Administration, I spearheaded initiatives focused on quality improvement and policies that support better outcomes for children and families. I look forward to applying these experiences at the Department of Children and Families in support of the Governor and First Lady’s initiatives to serve our most vulnerable, particularly in the areas of mental health and fighting against substance abuse.”

Harris most recently served as Acting Secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). DeSantis appointed Harris to the position in October 2020. The agency oversees the state’s $25 billion Medicaid program and regulates more than 40,000 Florida health care facilities. Since 2005, Harris has served in several roles at the agency.

She also served as AHCA’s assistant deputy secretary for Medicaid Policy and Quality from 2017 until 2020, overseeing more than 110 employees. Harris has also led negotiations on multi-million-dollar contracts and implemented quality improvement initiatives while at AHCA.  

“Shevaun has steadily risen through the ranks and secured historic wins for the people of Florida, paired with her background in social work and health care, I have no doubt she will build upon our foundation to serve Florida’s most vulnerable,” DeSantis said in a recent announcement on Harris’ appointment.

Along with her decade of experience at AHCA, Harris served as an adjunct professor at the FSU College of Social Work and as a case manager at Big Bend Cares serving vulnerable Floridians.

Harris holds a Master of Business Administration from Quinnipiac University. She is also a two-time FSu graduate with a Master of Social Work from Florida State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Minor in Business.