Mecklenburg County announced the appointment of Dr. Aram Perry Jr. as the new director of the Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services on October 27, 2026. Dr. Perry brings over 15 years of experience in education and human services, previously serving as Deputy Director of Child Protection for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Dr. Perry is scheduled to begin his new role on November 30, 2026.
Press Release: Mecklenburg County
Published October 27, 2026. Reproduced in full from the Mecklenburg County.
From Lived Experience to Leadership: Dr. Aram Perry Jr. Named Director of Mecklenburg County Child, Family, and Adult Services
View or download a photo of Dr. Perry.
Mecklenburg County announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the appointment of Dr. Aram Perry Jr. as the new director of the Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services. Dr. Perry brings more than 15 years of dedicated experience in education and the human services field, paired with a lifelong commitment to family well-being, child safety, and organizational excellence.
Dr. Perry joins Mecklenburg County from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where he has served as a key executive leader. Appointed as the State of Illinois’ Deputy Director of Child Protection in 2023, Dr. Perry has successfully led a workforce of more than 1,100 professionals across all 102 counties, including regional leaders, area administrators, and child protection specialists. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in launching a transformative practice model designed to strengthen assessments, enhance family engagement, and systematically improve safety outcomes for children statewide.
"We are incredibly thrilled to welcome Dr. Aram Perry to our leadership team here in Mecklenburg County," said County Manager Mike Bryant. "Managing a complex human services system requires a unique blend of operational expertise and deep empathy. Dr. Perry has a proven track record of guiding massive operations and shaping policies that directly improve people's lives. His visionary leadership and strategic administrative background make him uniquely qualified to lead our Child, Family, and Adult Services team into its next chapter."
Dr. Perry’s professional background is anchored by an exceptional academic foundation and a diverse range of disciplines. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Public Administration from Northcentral University in Scottsdale, Arizona. Additionally, Dr. Perry holds a Master of Divinity from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
In addition to his professional and academic credentials, Dr. Perry brings invaluable lived experience to Mecklenburg County. He and his wife, Cecily Perry, previously served as therapeutic foster parents in Florida and are the proud adoptive parents of three children through the Florida child welfare system. They are the parents of five children: Aysiah, Joseph, Antonio, Aram III, and Arielle. This personal journey as foster and adoptive parents continues to heavily influence Dr. Perry’s dedication to promoting child-centered, trauma-informed practices that build up the entire family unit.
"I am deeply honored to join Mecklenburg County and to lead the Child, Family, and Adult Services team," said Dr. Perry. "Every individual and family in our community deserves access to compassionate, high-quality, and trauma-informed support. My family's personal journey within the child welfare system has fundamentally shaped how I approach human services. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated county staff, community partners, and residents to strengthen families, protect vulnerable individuals, and build an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone in Mecklenburg County can thrive."
Dr. Perry is scheduled to begin in his new role with Mecklenburg County on Nov. 30, 2026.
The Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services (CFAS) serves as a vital component of Mecklenburg County’s Health and Human Services Agency, operating as a safety net to strengthen families, protect vulnerable residents, and cultivate community well-being. The department investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Beyond crisis intervention, CFAS provides a comprehensive continuum of care that includes managing foster care and adoptions, delivering community social work and case management for disabled individuals, and facilitating subsidized childcare and MECK Pre-K early education. For older adults and seniors, the department coordinates critical independence-focused infrastructure, such as adult day care, senior nutrition programs, in-home aide assistance, and the Mecklenburg Transportation System for non-emergency medical transit. Learn more at CFAS.MeckNC.gov.
