Director’s Biography

Sue Hamilton-Smith joined the administration of Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano in November 2003 as Deputy Director of the Department of Children and Family Services. She was named Director of the Department in November 2005. Prior to joining the Ficano administration, Hamilton-Smith was Executive Vice President of New Detroit, Inc.

A Detroit resident since 1967, Ms. Hamilton-Smith, is a youth advocate and civil rights activist who served as an Executive Assistant to the Hon. Coleman A. Young, a Special Assistant to the Hon. William G. Miliken and as Executive Vice President of the Detroit Urban League. Hamilton-Smith began her career as a V.I.S.T.A. Volunteer during the “War on Poverty” waged in the late 1960’s. In addition to her advocacy work, Sue was a gang worker in Washington, D.C., and Detroit and a Crisis Intervention Counselor in Highland Park.

Hamilton-Smith is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wayne State University with a B.A. in Sociology and a Masters in Communication. She is the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of ten.

• Message From The Director

Juvenile Services: (313) 833-5600

Department of Human Services
Children's Protective Services
24 Hour Phone Number
1-800-716-2234

640 Temple
5th Floor
Detroit, 48201