The Honorable Steven E. Yeatman

Cabinet Secretary
Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF)

Steven E. Yeatman, a decorated military veteran, has served in a variety of youth and family services positions for the State of Delaware for over 26 years. His career started with a part-time, front-line position in Ferris School, where he eventually became a full-time Supervisor. He was a member of the team that led the transfer of Ferris to a new, state-of-the-art facility and helped secure the initial American Correctional Association Accreditation that the facility still holds today.

Prior to assuming the responsibilities in 2017 of Deputy Secretary for the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, Steve held various front line, supervisory and managerial positions in each division within the Department, including Deputy Director of the Division of Prevention & Behavioral Health Services. He also served as Chief Policy Advisor, where he led the department’s legislative efforts, provided expert testimony before legislators and the public, and advised the Governor’s policy advisors on complex issues involving the well-being of children and families. He also coordinated the development and implementation of statewide operational policies related to the department.

As Deputy Secretary, he guided the day-to-day operations of the state’s child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health systems with a keen focus on expanding evidenced-based best practices.

As Secretary, he has operational oversight of all state-administered child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health services. Under his purview are programs for prevention, foster care, adoption and permanency, juvenile probation, juvenile detention centers, residential treatment centers and a full spectrum of behavioral health services.

During his career, Steve simultaneously served in the United States Army Reserve and Pennsylvania National Guard. He retired from the military in 2010 after 20 years of service during which he received several awards including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is a combat Veteran, who served in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Steve holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Delaware Technical Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from West Chester University, and a Master’s in Education from Wilmington University.

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