LOS ANGELES — David J. Carroll was formally sworn in on Tuesday as the Director of the Department of Youth Development at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.

Board Chair Janice Hahn administered the oath of office in the Board Hearing Room, where Carroll was joined by County officials, colleagues and family.

“I would like to thank the Board of Supervisors for the opportunity to serve as Director of the Department of Youth Development,” said Carroll. “I am honored by the appointment and am dedicated to building on the efforts already underway to grow networks of youth development in communities across LA County, equitably reduce the number of youth impacted by the criminal legal system and create opportunities for youth already affected by the system.”

Carroll holds a deep personal commitment to creating opportunities for youth to thrive, having benefitted from such opportunities himself.

“At an early age, I was involved in the foster care and adoption systems. Young Black men like me were considered more likely to drop out of school, become incarcerated or become victims of violent crime than to graduate from college,” Carroll said. “But caring teachers, committed mentors and countless youth development opportunities helped me defy those expectations. All young people should have access to the same opportunities for success.”

Carroll brings 15 years of experience in youth development through his work with community-based organizations in Los Angeles County and across the United States. Most recently, he served as the Director of Education and Policy Programming for CalNonprofits. Previously, he was the Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations for Southern California Grantmakers. He has served thousands of children and families through the creation of award-winning nonprofit programs. He has also served in executive roles for organizations such as Brotherhood Crusade, Crystal Stairs, Inc. and Unleashing Potential, where he was responsible for management, programming, advocacy and fiscal oversight.

Carroll earned a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Washington University in St. Louis. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from Harris-Stowe State University. Carroll is a member of the prestigious White-Riley-Peterson Fellowship on Public Policy and a two-time winner of the Washington University Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition.

The Department of Youth Development launched in July 2022, representing a historic investment in young people and youth justice system transformation in Los Angeles County. Building on the County’s Youth Diversion and Development program model, the Department is dedicated to supporting the development of young people in Los Angeles County and equitably reducing youth justice system involvement. To learn more about the Department of Youth Development, please visit https://dyd.lacounty.gov/.

Support from the Board of Supervisors

“We need to do better by the young people who are not only in the custody of our Probation Department but are in our care,” said Board Chair Janice Hahn. “With David Carroll at the helm, the Department of Youth Development will take up an important effort, launched last year, to better support young people in our probation facilities, create new opportunities for people who have been impacted by the youth criminal justice system, and strengthen our diversion programs.”

“Our youth are our future. To that end, it is imperative that we protect them and have support systems that prioritize their well-being and growth,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “The establishment of the County’s Department of Youth Development is the commitment we are making to provide young people with equitable investments in care-first. And with David J. Carroll’s leadership, we will continue to move the needle on prevention.”

“I look forward to David’s leadership as we work to realize the vision of a rehabilitative and developmentally appropriate system of care,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “David’s passion for uplifting youth, his emphasis on the importance of proximity, and his commitment to building power in LA’s communities that have faced historic injustices is needed as we work together to equitably reduce the number of youth involved in our justice system.”

“I want to extend a warm welcome to incoming Director David Carroll who is embarking on a bold mission, along with this County’s passionate stakeholders, to reimagine youth justice through a truly transformative lens,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “I look forward to supporting him and to seeing all the ways we can scale care-first approaches that invest in our youth and divert them from the justice system.”

“As County leaders, we have a duty to provide the fullest portfolio of support and resources to help young people involved in the juvenile justice system create change and reach their fullest potential,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “David’s charge is to innovate and invest in community-based strategies that get us to that goal. I’m a big believer in taking a holistic approach so that change in a young person’s life can be introduced and sustained. I look forward to seeing how the Department of Youth Development, under David’s leadership, will apply that approach and help deliver a brighter future for the youth it serves.”