Nikki Farago (’07) Named Minnesota’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Children and Family Services
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has named Nikki Farago (’07) the deputy assistant commissioner of its Children and Family Services (CFS) program. CFS is responsible for adoption, foster care, child care, child support, adolescent services, public assistance, child protection, refugee resettlement, economic opportunities, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As an attorney with a background in tribal law and child welfare issues, Farago will provide strategic direction and oversight in a number of these areas.
“Making sure families have the capacity to be successful is an important part of our mission,” said Emily Piper, commissioner of the Department of Human Services. “We have critical work ahead in this area, especially in addressing issues in child protection and foster care. Nikki brings the expertise and perspective needed to help us move forward.”
Since January 2013, Farago has been CFS’s director for legislation and external affairs. Prior to joining the department, she served as the deputy solicitor general for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, where she litigated a broad caseload of criminal and civil cases in tribal court and represented the band in Indian Child Welfare Act child protection cases. Before attending the Law School, Farago earned a B.A. in political science and a B.S. in psychology, both from the University of Georgia.
“I have no doubt Nikki will do an excellent job on behalf of children and families,” said Jim Koppel, CFS assistant commissioner. “She knows what we need to do to improve our systems and what it will take to make that happen. She’ll work tirelessly on behalf of children and families.”
Farago is a member of the board of directors of the Indian Child Welfare Law Center. She previously served on the Minnesota Supreme Court Committee on Equality and Justice and was the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association’s representative to the Hennepin County Bar Association. She has volunteered for numerous organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Anishinabe Academy, People Serving People, the McGee Civil Rights Moot Court, and Open Arms of Minnesota.
