Christy Cain deGraffenried

CHRISTY CAIN DEGRAFFENRIED

Challenges facing children within the state of Alabama have been a particular passion for Christy Cain deGraffenried. She grew up in LaFayette, AL where small town life influenced her greatly. She attended Auburn University where she studied Family and Child Development.  During her time at Auburn University, she volunteered for a non-profit program that served unwed teenage mothers and her first job after college was Lead Teacher in a Head Start program. These experiences brought into focus for her the issues of poverty and the plight of children and families in Alabama. It became clear to her that her life’s work would involve shaping the lives of young individuals and assisting their family members.   

Christy has held numerous positions within the field of education and has taught or interacted with students from 6 weeks old to college age. She received her master’s degree from Troy University in Public Management so that she would better understand the processes and agencies that directly affect the lives of children within the state. This led to her interest in politics and how state agencies provide the services children and families need. 

She was Executive Director of Children First from 2006-2018. In her tenure she brought substantive change in the lives of Alabama’s children by helping to shape legislative policy and by insuring that monies designated towards children’s programs are well-spent.

Christy continues to serve the people of Alabama as Governmental Affairs at the Alabama Nursing Home Association. Sheis married to Ryan deGraffenried, III and they have two daughters.