About Lew Roubal

Former Chief Deputy Director Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Child Welfare & Public Assistance

Lew Roubal is a dedicated public servant with a career spanning law enforcement, child welfare, and public assistance reform. Growing up on an agricultural farm in Traverse City, Michigan, instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work, resilience, and the impact of strong family support. His early experiences shaped his commitment to improving public safety net programs and ensuring dignified access to essential services for those in need.

Beginning his career as a police officer, Lew quickly realized his passion for making long-term, systemic improvements in public service. His tenure with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) saw him take on significant leadership roles in child welfare reform, public assistance program modernization, and large-scale technology implementations. Notably, he played a pivotal role in reforming Michigan’s public assistance programs to improve accessibility and dignity, championed the integration of youth voices in child welfare decision-making, and led the design and implementation of the Bridges integrated eligibility system—the largest technology project undertaken by the State of Michigan.

One of Lew’s most impactful initiatives focused on addressing housing instability for families involved in the child welfare system. By assigning dedicated public assistance staff to expedite housing and basic needs support, his team successfully facilitated faster reunifications, reduced the number of children in costly residential placements, and fostered a solutions-oriented culture within the system.

Lew remains deeply committed to strengthening public service systems, mentoring new leaders in human services, and ensuring that government institutions are both effective and compassionate in their mission to support communities.