City Manager Frank Fairbanks today named JoAnn Del-Colle as the city of Phoenix Family Advocacy Center director. The center provides comprehensive services to victims and their families who are affected by crime, including domestic violence and sexual abuse, in a safe, comforting and supportive environment.

She comes to the city from the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families. As the director of the Division for Women, Del-Colle provided oversight to several key women’s issues including stopping domestic and sexual violence, promoting women’s health initiatives and strengthening women’s workforce development efforts.

“JoAnn’s strong commitment to serving families in need reflects her professional knowledge and experience as a social worker, victim advocate, therapist and manager,” said Fairbanks. “She will make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Del-Colle also served as manager of the victim’s services division of the city of Scottsdale’s City Attorney’s Department. In addition, she worked in the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau and served in a variety of roles at the Center Against Sexual Abuse. Del-Colle also has been an adjunct faculty member at the ASU School of Social Work where she taught a graduate course on the dynamics of sexual abuse.

Del-Colle earned both her Bachelor of Family Studies and Human Development and Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. She is an Arizona-licensed clinical social worker, a member of the Maricopa County Victims’ Compensation Board and an instructor at the Arizona Victim Assistance Academy.