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1993.02.19 :  Appointment -- Mary Jo Bane

Contact:  HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343
February 19, 1993

       President Clinton today announced an intent to nominate
Mary Jo Bane, Ph.D., New York state commissioner of social
services, to serve as HHS assistant secretary for children and
families, HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala announced today.
       As assistant secretary, Dr. Bane would be head of the
Administration for Children and Families, one of four operating
divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services.  With a
$30 billion budget, ACF includes Aid to Families with Dependent
Children and the JOBS program, Head Start, child support
enforcement and other assistance programs for those in need.
       "Mary Jo Bane is a top-flight professional and a leader of
outstanding integrity," Secretary Shalala said.  "She is both a
respected scholar in the social services field, and a forceful
leader with frontline experience in one of the largest and most
diverse state social service programs in the country."
       As ACF administrator, Dr. Bane will have a key role in
developing a welfare reform initiative for the administration. 
       "The Clinton Administration has a firm commitment to
create assistance programs that help people become self-
sufficient," said Secretary Shalala.  "Dr. Bane brings a unique
blend of creativity and common sense to our efforts to remake the
welfare system." 
       "I am deeply honored that President Clinton intends to
nominate me to be assistant secretary for children and families,"
Dr. Bane said.  "The president's obvious commitment to welfare
reform and investments in children, essentially the work of ACF,
promises a better future for all Americans.  If confirmed by the
Senate, I look forward to helping the administration realize his
vision of hope for all of our nation's families and children."
       Dr. Bane has been commissioner in New York since April
1992.  She also served as deputy commissioner from 1984 to 1986,
during which time she was a member and staff director of Governor
Mario Cuomo's Task Force on Poverty and Welfare.

       She has been director of the Malcolm Wiener Center for
Social Policy at the Kennedy School of Government, which conducts
research on policy and management issues in welfare and poverty,
health, human services, labor and education.  Dr. Bane was also
Malcolm Wiener Professor of Social Policy at the Kennedy School,
from 1987-1992.  She originally joined the Kennedy School in
January 1981, as an associate professor of public policy.

       Previously, Dr. Bane served as deputy assistant secretary
for planning and budget at the U.S. Department of Education
(1980-1981).  From 1977 to 1980, she was associate professor at
the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.  From 1978-
1980, she was also associate director of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology-Harvard Joint Center for Urban Studies.

       From 1975-1977, Dr. Bane was associate director of the
Center for Research on Women at Wellesley College, where she also
taught.  She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia from
1963-1965, and as a junior high school teacher from 1967-1971.   
She earned her doctorate in education and a master of arts degree
in teaching from Harvard University.  She received a bachelor of
science degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. 
She is the author of many books and articles on poverty, welfare
and social and public policy.



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