Sarah Sailors
Battle Ground,IN
Summary
Results-driven leader with a robust background in strategic management and organizational growth, adept at crafting and executing impactful business strategies that optimize processes and enhance team performance. Recognized for adaptability and effective collaboration, consistently delivering measurable outcomes in fast-paced environments. Strong communication and problem-solving skills complement a commitment to fostering a productive and positive team culture, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Passionate about driving innovation and continuous improvement to achieve sustainable success.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Division of Mental Health and Addiction
Family and Social Services Administration
Indianapolis, IN
03.2025 - Current
- Set strategic direction for Indiana’s statewide mental health and addiction system
- Improved organizational effectiveness by evaluating program performance
- Implemented system-level enhancements that strengthened cross-division integration
- Led implementation of state and federal legislation providing policy interpretation and guidance
- Managed a budget of $550 Million overseeing revenues, expenditures, and multi-year projection
- Advanced interagency collaboration by coordinating with state and federal partners
- Provided executive oversight of Indiana’s 6 state psychiatric hospitals
- Ensured safe operations, regulatory compliance, and alignment with statewide behavior health priorities
Chief Deputy Director/Senior Advisor
Department of Child Services
Indianapolis, IN
05.2023 - 03.2025
- Provided executive direction and oversight of the Department’s Child Welfare programs
- Formulated and direct Department policy and monitor effectiveness
- Ensured implementation of state and federal laws, regulations, and mandates
- Served as key policy advisor to the Director on program issues
- Reviewed and monitor policy direction for Child Welfare programs
- Provided expert testimony relating to the Department’s child welfare policies to the Indiana Legislature
- Served as the 30(B)(6) witness for agency litigation
- Represented the interests of the Department with federal agencies and advocacy groups
Deputy Director, Field Operations
Department of Child Services
Indianapolis, IN
03.2023 - 05.2023
Assistant Deputy Director, Field Operations
Department of Child Services
Indianapolis, IN
10.2018 - 02.2019
Local Office Director
Carroll County DCS
Delphi, IN
08.2009 - 10.2014
Family Case Manager Supervisor
Tippecanoe County DCS
Lafayette, IN
08.2007 - 09.2009
Family Case Manager
Tippecanoe County DCS
Layette, IN
10.2006 - 08.2007
Program Director
Orion Group Home
Platteville, WI
06.2001 - 09.2006
Family Case Manager
Benton County DCS
Fowler, IN
10.2000 - 06.2001
Family Preservation Worker
Families United, Inc.
Attica, IN
06.2000 - 10.2000
Fitness Center Coordinator/Head Volleyball Coach
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL
07.1998 - 12.1999
- Sold college to high school students and parents through school visits, campus visits and personal home visits.
- Monitored academic performance of student athletes
- Managed the budget for volleyball program, including travel and scholarships.
- Monitored class scheduling and registration for student athletes.
Family Development Consultant
Area IV Agency on Aging
Lafayette, IN
09.1997 - 07.1998
Site Coordinator/Ounce of Prevention Program
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL
01.1997 - 09.1997
Counseling Assistant
Nexus/Onarga Academy
Onarga, IL
04.1996 - 01.1997
Education
Master of Social Work - Child Welfare
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Bachelor of Science - Family Community Services, social welfare minor
East Carolina University
Associates of Arts and Science - Criminal Justice, corrections concentration
Illinois Central College
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Operations management
Publications
Bott, B., & Sailors, S. (2021, August). Never getting behind again: How one child welfare agency used the pandemic to transform their work to help children and families. Policy & Practice.
Appointments
- Mental Health and Addiction Planning and Advisory Council
- Medicaid Advisory Committee
- Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council
- Commission on Improving the Status of Children
- Youth Justice Oversight Committee
- Child Welfare Task Force
- Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Executive Committee
Timeline
Director, Division of Mental Health and Addiction
Family and Social Services Administration
03.2025 - Current
Chief Deputy Director/Senior Advisor
Department of Child Services
05.2023 - 03.2025
Deputy Director, Field Operations
Department of Child Services
03.2023 - 05.2023
Assistant Deputy Director, Field Operations
Department of Child Services
10.2018 - 02.2019
Local Office Director
Carroll County DCS
08.2009 - 10.2014
Family Case Manager Supervisor
Tippecanoe County DCS
08.2007 - 09.2009
Family Case Manager
Tippecanoe County DCS
10.2006 - 08.2007
Program Director
Orion Group Home
06.2001 - 09.2006
Family Case Manager
Benton County DCS
10.2000 - 06.2001
Family Preservation Worker
Families United, Inc.
06.2000 - 10.2000
Fitness Center Coordinator/Head Volleyball Coach
Kankakee Community College
07.1998 - 12.1999
Family Development Consultant
Area IV Agency on Aging
09.1997 - 07.1998
Site Coordinator/Ounce of Prevention Program
Kankakee Community College
01.1997 - 09.1997
Counseling Assistant
Nexus/Onarga Academy
04.1996 - 01.1997
Master of Social Work - Child Welfare
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Bachelor of Science - Family Community Services, social welfare minor
East Carolina University
Associates of Arts and Science - Criminal Justice, corrections concentration
Illinois Central College