Christopher M. Root, MSW

Chris was hired as the Director of Clinical and Placement Services for Families First Network of Lakeview in 2017. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University. Chris is also a graduate of the Catholic Charities USA Leadership Institute, the University of Notre Dame Mission to Service Program, and the Spiritual Exercises for the Americas sponsored by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Chris worked over 27 years for Catholic Charities and served as the Chairman of the Department of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan from December 2003 through December 2014.

In his role as Chairman, he oversaw seven agencies and numerous diocesan ministries. Services were numerous and included such programs as adoption, foster care, Life Justice, Project Rachel, behavioral health counseling, substance abuse, adult daycare, soup kitchens, food pantries, a warming shelter, clothing, and personal needs programs, an immigration law clinic, refugee resettlement, housing for disabled adults, transitional housing, assistance with rent and utilities, a medical clinic, as well as, managing the diocesan cemeteries. In 2014 Chris also established an educational and medical mission in Guatemala. He served as the President/CEO of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida from January 2015 through April 2017.

Chris has been a presenter at national conferences on both charity and health care and has had articles published in several newspapers and two periodicals: Charities USA and Health Progress. He and his wife, Diana, have been married for 28 years and have nine children and two grandchildren.