Fran Winter to Serve As Acting Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services

January 11, 2006– Mayor Bloomberg has appointed DHS Commissioner Linda Gibbs to Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.  Deputy Mayor Gibbs will now have oversight over the Department of Homeless Services, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources Administration, Administration for Children’s Services, Department for the Aging, Health and Hospitals Corporation, Department of Correction, Department of Probation, Department of Juvenile Justice, Office of Health Insurance Access, and the HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council.  With her departure, Fran Winter, DHS’ First Deputy Commissioner, will serve as Acting Commissioner.   

As First Deputy Commissioner at DHS, Fran played a key role in guiding the agency’s strategy and day-to-day work.  Prior to serving as First Deputy Commissioner, Fran lead the Prevention and Aftercare units of the agency, as well as assisted in the development of DHS’ litigation strategies. Fran also served as an Assistant Commissioner for Adult Services.   

“The reforms that have been implemented over the past four years have made DHS a fundamentally different agency with changes that will last,” noted Deputy Mayor Gibbs.  “Fran Winter has been an integral part of the reforms that have already taken place and she will be spectacular at continuing that progress.”

Before joining DHS, Fran worked for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services and the Department of Employment.  She received her Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Queens College.