Karen DeGraaf-Faust
Director of Quality Assurance/ Quality Improvement – Compliance and Ethics Officer
Karen Faust joined Seamen’s Society for Children and Families in March 2022. Karen is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of New York with more than fifteen years of child welfare experience including ten years in nonprofit quality assurance – continuous quality improvement. Karen specializes in developing professional partnerships to drive performance and organizational growth.
Karen currently oversees quality assurance/quality improvement initiatives, training/professional development, and compliance and ethics for SSCF. Karen strives to create a thriving workplace culture with her smiley face emojis amidst compliance activities and rigorous oversight of our contracts.
Karen was born and raised in Michigan. She began her career in child protection as an investigator for the State of Michigan. Shortly after moving to New York City, Karen worked for SCO Family of Services at their Brownsville Brooklyn location in prevention services. An interest in policy and improved outcomes led Karen to Children’s Aid in quality assurance/continuous quality improvement for their foster care programs. Through these experiences, Karen found her passion for supporting children and youth, strengthening families, and building collaborative partnerships with community advocates.
Karen obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Western Michigan University and her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan. Karen received her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from Purdue University in 2022. Karen successfully completed Leading and Exploring Through Accountability and Development (LEAD) in 2024 through the NYC ACS Institute for Leadership Development.