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Director of the Federal Office of Community Services (OCS)
On June 25, 2001 President George Bush appointed Clarence H. Carter to serve as Director of the Federal Office of Community Services (OCS). In this capacity Mr. Carter provides leadership for the organization of federal government responsible for providing community based support services for low-income Americans. The $6 billion plus agency administers among others; the Community Services Block Grant, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Economic Development Program the Individual Development Account Program and the Community Food & Nutrition Program.
The presidential appointment is the latest in a career of government human services positions held by Mr. Carter. Prior to the OCS appointment Carter served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation.
Appointed by Virginia Governor James S. Gilmore in January of 2000. Mr. Carter served as the first Executive Director of the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation. The Foundation was created out of the landmark settlement between 47 states and tobacco manufacturers.
As Executive Director Carter was charged with constructing the Foundation and helping the 23 members Board of Trustees design and implement programs to address the issue of the reduction of youth tobacco use.
Prior to the Foundation appointment Carter served for four years as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services. In that capacity Mr. Carter was responsible for the administration of 1500 employee state wide organization with an annual operating budget in excess of $ 1 billion. The hallmark of his Social Services tenure was the construction and implementation of the Commonwealth's landmark welfare reform initiatives. Fully implemented two years ahead of schedule the program was instrumental in cutting the public assistance roles by more than half, from an all time of 74,000 to a 30 year low of 31,000. More than 25,000 public assistance recipients have gone to work and earned in excess of $200 million.
Carter is frequently asked to comment on public issues having been a guest on CNN's Crossfire, Both Sides with Jesse Jackson, C-Span's morning Roundtable. BET's Our Voices and Lead Story. He has testified before congressional committees on a number of human service topics including the restructuring of the Food Stamps Program and the future of the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Opportunity Act (PRWORA)
The 42-year old native of Pittsburgh, PA resides in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Diane Watts-Carter.