Thirty-five years inside the systems now under review — a single linear career from a county social-work caseload to the executive direction of the largest child welfare agency in the United States.
Bobby D. Cagle, MSW
Bobby D. Cagle, MSW, is a recognized authority in child welfare, human services, and community corrections. His career began as a county-level Children's Social Worker in Graham County, North Carolina, and proceeded through eleven years inside the North Carolina Department of Correction — including service as a Judicial District Manager — before returning to social services as a county Deputy Director and, later, as the executive head of three of the largest related agencies in the country.
From 2011 to 2014, Bobby served as Commissioner of Bright from the Start, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, with regulatory authority over approximately 6,600 licensed daycare and early-learning facilities and operational responsibility for the nationally recognized Georgia Pre-K Program. From 2014 to 2017 he was appointed Director of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, leading more than 7,700 employees and a $1.6 billion budget across child welfare and economic services for a state of 10.2 million.
From 2017 to 2022, he served as Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services — the largest child welfare agency in the United States — directing 9,300 staff and a $3 billion annual budget on behalf of a county of 10.3 million residents. Among other initiatives, he established the first Office of Equity in Los Angeles County government and oversaw more than 400 performance-based service contracts.
Today, Bobby is President and CEO of Cagle Consulting and principal of its expert-witness service line, serving courts, attorneys, and agencies nationwide.
The practice's tone is set by four working principles drawn from a longer career voice: caring and authentic, approachable and engaging, open and affirming, smart and purposeful.
Every engagement is in service of an outcome that affects a real family, a real child, or a real defendant — and is conducted accordingly.
Plain language, fast turnarounds, and direct phone calls — for both lead counsel and junior associates carrying the file.
Cases are evaluated on the record as it stands, not as it would be convenient to imagine, and engagements are declined when the facts don't support the theory.
Reports cite the statute, the rule, and the operational fact pattern. Opinions are stated only where the work supports them.
Selected awards and fellowships across child welfare, early learning, philanthropy, and community corrections — spanning four decades of practice.
Initial consultations are conducted at no cost and under privilege, typically scheduled within seventy-two hours of intake. Engagements accepted nationally, in state and federal forums.
