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Committee recommends confirmation of Rachel Pierre as permanent DHS director
Summary
The Committee on Human Services voted unanimously to report Mayor Bowser’s nomination of Acting Director Rachel Pierre to lead the Department of Human Services; committee members urged timely data sharing and attention to TANF, SNAP, homelessness and youth programs.
Matt Pruman, Ward 3 councilmember and chair of the Committee on Human Services, moved that the committee report favorably on PR26-0303, the confirmation resolution for Acting Director Rachel Pierre, and declared the motion passed by voice vote.
Pruman opened the meeting by presenting Pierre’s background and the agency’s structure, saying Pierre’s training and experience make her “the right leader for DHS at this time.” He noted Pierre holds a master of social work from Howard University and an MBA from the University of Maryland, and summarized prior roles including founding the Andorra Project and leadership posts at Lutheran Social Services and Pathways to Housing DC.
Councilmember Christina Henderson, who said this is her first year on the committee, thanked the chair and set expectations for the incoming director. “I hope we can establish an open and honest relationship where we can turn to the director to understand the true situation on the ground,” Henderson said, pressing for timely information flow to council offices, attention to leftover budget-cycle issues and earlier legislative engagement on TANF.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker said he would support the nomination and highlighted recent DHS work on bridge housing and the federal surge response. Parker said he will focus on youth programs, truancy prevention and mental health coordination, and added, “I believe she’s up for the challenge.”
Pruman then moved the committee print and report for the confirmation resolution (the resolution is referenced in the record as PR26-0303; a different recitation appeared during the motion). Councilmember Parker verbally registered “Aye,” and the chair declared the ayes unanimous; the chair announced the motion passes and adjourned the meeting at about 3:50 p.m.
The committee’s action forwards the nomination to the full Council for final consideration. The committee meeting lasted roughly 10 minutes and included three committee members participating in person or virtually.
