San Francisco, CA - Mayor London N. Breed today announced Sherrice Dorsey-Smith as the Acting Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF). Dorsey-Smith steps into the role following DCYF’s former Executive Director of 15 years Dr. Maria Su’s appointment as the Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) earlier this week.
Dorsey-Smith has served at DCYF for 17 years, serving in various roles including Program Specialist, Senior Program Specialist, and most recently, Chief of Staff. As Acting Director, Dorsey-Smith will oversee the Department’s $350 million budget, which serves more than 42,000 young people by providing funding for a range of services, including summer programming, after school programming, and mental health support.
“Sherrice has been at DCYF for 17 years, dedicating her career to ensuring that our City’s kids and families have what they need to succeed,” said Mayor Breed. “I look forward to continuing to work with Sherrice to provide after school programming, summer opportunities, and mental health support to kids across San Francisco.”
“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for this role,” said DCYF Acting Director Sherrice Dorsey-Smith. “I want to thank Mayor Breed for her belief in my leadership, and for entrusting me to continue the work that Dr. Maria Su has valiantly championed over the last 15 years. Keeping children, youth, and families at the center is the space where I have led and will continue to lead. I assure you that I will seize this opportunity on behalf of all of the children, youth, and families in our City, and not miss out on this chance to continue to make San Francisco a great place to learn, thrive, and grow up.”
“Sherrice has been instrumental in shaping the direction and impact of DCYF’s work,” said SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su. “Her extensive experience, deep knowledge, and dedication to DCYF’s goals make her uniquely qualified to lead the department. I have no doubt that DCYF will be in excellent hands with Sherrice at the helm, and I am fully confident in her ability to continue advancing DCYF’s mission to support our children, youth, and families. Under Sherrice’s leadership, DCYF will continue to flourish and create lasting change for the San Francisco community."
DCYF funds programs serving young people up to age 24 and their families with a focus on advancing equity and healing trauma. The Department brings together and works alongside community-based organizations, government agencies, and schools.
Dorsey-Smith started at DCYF as a Program Specialist in 2007, working closely with grantees to provide direct support and guidance. Within four years, she advanced to Senior Program Specialist and launched DCYF’s Technical Assistance and Capacity Building initiative, which provides DCYF grantees with the professional development and technical skills necessary to increase their impact on the young people they serve.
"For nearly two decades Sherrice Dorsey-Smith has committed her career to improving the lives of all San Francisco children and their families through her work at DCYF,” said District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “She is perfectly poised to take on this leadership role and will continue the strong legacy of centering the needs of young people on behalf of this critical department."
“I am thrilled to celebrate the well-deserved promotion of an incredible leader in our community,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “For years, Sherrice Dorsey-Smith has exemplified the strength, dedication, and resilience that define Black excellence. Her tireless advocacy, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to uplifting our communities have made lasting impacts. This promotion is not just a recognition of her personal achievements, but a celebration of the transformative work she has done to pave the way for future generations and create lasting change. She will lead with integrity, passion, and vision. Her success is our success, and the community stands beside her with pride, ready to support her as she continues to interrupt systems and serve as a role model.”
Among her many accomplishments at DCYF, including leading the Program, Planning, and Grants Division, Dorsey-Smith led DCYF’s historic Request for Proposals process, awarding $115 million in funding to community-based organizations in San Francisco for DCYF’s 2024-2029 funding cycle. As Chief of Staff, she has provided leadership and oversight for the Department’s grantmaking, and managed essential partnerships with community-based organizations, SFUSD, City departments, and other stakeholders.
Under her leadership, DCYF successfully implemented key initiatives including:
- Literacy and Math School Pilot
- Summer Together
- Student Success Fund
One of Dorsey-Smith’s most notable accomplishments was serving as the project lead for the Community Hub Initiative, designed to provide critical support to students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this initiative, she oversaw the development and implementation of a network of safe learning spaces in every San Francisco neighborhood. Her exceptional work on the Community Hubs Initiative earned her the 2022 San Francisco Good Government Award.
“Sherrice Dorsey-Smith is going to be an incredible new leader of the Department of Children Youth and their Families,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. “I worked closely with her during the Pandemic to set up community learning hubs. I saw her leadership qualities up close and firsthand - her experience, her competence, her grace and her determined passion to protect our city’s kids. Mayor Breed couldn’t have done more for San Francisco families this week. With Maria Su as SFUSD’s new superintendent and Sherrice Dorsey-Smith the new leader of the Department of Children Youth and their Families, it’s win-win for our City’s kids."
“Sherrice has championed youth and family services for 17 years, playing a key role in supporting many of CYC's initiatives and advocacy efforts,” said Sarah Wan, Executive Director of Community Youth Center (CYC). “Under her leadership, the well-being of San Francisco's children, youth, and families will continue to be a top priority. We congratulate her on her appointment as the Acting Director of DCYF.”
Prior to her tenure at DCYF, Dorsey-Smith was a leader in the youth development field in San Francisco and Oakland beginning in 1998. As part of those roles, she worked on programs committed to youth empowerment and social change.
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