02/08/08 Former DHS Director Joins Board   The former head of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Christine Ferguson, JD, has been named to the Family Service of Rhode Island board of directors. Ms. Ferguson, of Jamestown, served as the DHS director from 1995 to 2001.  Later she served as public health commissioner for the state of Massachusetts.  Currently she’s on the faculty of the School of Public Health and Health Services of George Washington University working on national health reform, health financing and children’s health and development. She is also director of the STOP Obesity Alliance.  She has been recognized as one of the nation's 100 most influential lawyers by the National Law Journal and one of the top 25 most influential working mothers by Working Mothers magazine.  She holds a BA from the University of Michigan and a JD from the Washington College of Law at American University.   Family Service of Rhode Island is a statewide non-profit providing a range of social and educational services to children and families in need.                    (end)