Ending a string of acting department heads dating back to 2010, Linné K. Stout was appointed director of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) by Governor Jerry Brown in May 2013.

Stout worked in various positions at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) from 2001 to 2011. She was bureau chief of the department’s Resources Development and Training Support Bureau in 2009 when named chief of the Child Protection and Family Services Branch within the CDSS Children and Family Services Division.

In this position, which Stout held until 2011, she provided oversight of the child welfare services in the area of emergency response, pre-placement and in-home services policy. This included oversight of statewide child abuse prevention and family support services to increase family strengths and capacity to enhance child development and provide children with a stable and supportive family environment.

Stout was also responsible for statewide training and staff development activities of public child welfare service workers, and served on the Mental Health Planning Council. Previously, she served in various functions within the Administration Division of CDSS for most of her state career.

She transferred to the Community Services and Development Department in 2011 to become acting chief deputy director. She was named acting director in 2012 before Brown removed “acting” from her title a year later.

Stout has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since 2004. The National CASA Association utilizes thousands of volunteers to watch over and represent abused and neglected foster youths as they fight their way through legal and social service systems. 

Director Linné K. Stout (California Department of Community Services and Development)