Aryka Radke, JD Deputy Commissioner
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Aryka Radke serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Family Services Division (FSD) within the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Appointed by Governor Phil Scott in 2021, she leads the division responsible for Vermont’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Since joining FSD, Aryka has advanced statewide efforts to strengthen family well-being and safety through restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive approaches. She has championed initiatives to support and retain the child welfare workforce, modernize information systems, and deepen collaboration across state and community partners to better serve children, youth, and families.
Nationally, Aryka serves on the Executive Advisory Group of the National Partnership for Child Safety and on the Executive Committee of the New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners and Directors, contributing to regional and national efforts to improve safety, accountability, and learning in child welfare systems.
Originally from Chicago, Aryka holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. Her prior public service includes leadership and adjudicatory roles with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and as Vice Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Industrial Commission of Arizona.
Outside of work, Aryka enjoys time with her husband and two daughters, attending sporting events, playing board games, and traveling.
