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Director Courtney E. Hawkins started as the DHS leader in June 2017. The Rhode Island native, a South Kingstown High School graduate, has more than 20 years of accrued skills that help her lead the agency’s dedicated staff. She interned at the Training School, working with its social worker and school psychologist, while studying psychology at the University of Rhode Island. She taught math at Ocean Tides School, in Narragansett, before receiving her Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.

Director Hawkins interned in a social service agency located in downtown New York City during 9/11, and helped develop and implement its response to the attack. She also provided case management to the victims.