Danette R. Smith takes on the function of accelerating entry to therapy for psychological well being points, substance abuse, and life stressors.
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
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DENVER – At this time, Governor Jared Polis introduced Dannette R. Smith as Commissioner of the Behavioral Well being Administration (BHA).
“Increasing entry to the behavioral well being care Coloradans want stays a prime precedence of my administration and we’re excited that Dannette may also help us obtain our imaginative and prescient. All through her 30-year profession, Dannette has been a powerful advocate for accessible behavioral well being care, a extremely revered drawback solver, and a powerful chief. I’m assured that below her management, BHA will proceed to assist Coloradans entry the high-quality care they deserve,” stated Governor Polis. “I need to thank Michelle Barnes for taking over this function and bringing her expertise and management to BHA as interim commissioner. Michelle’s dedication continues to assist Colorado obtain our targets and I’m grateful for her devoted public service.”
This appointment was primarily based on in depth suggestions from stakeholders throughout the state and displays the Governor's dedication to driving transformative change in Colorado's Behavioral Well being System. Underneath Commissioner Smith's management, BHA will stay centered on rising entry to high quality behavioral well being companies in Colorado by participating numerous neighborhood teams and suppliers to develop companies and recruit and retain a proficient workforce. Incoming Commissioner Smith will start her function on March 18, 2024. At the moment, Appearing Commissioner Michelle Barnes will return to her function as govt director of the Division of Human Providers.
“The Governor and his administration have laid a powerful basis for behavioral well being care and I look ahead to utilizing my expertise to construct on this good work and proceed increasing companies in Colorado. “I’m excited to get to work serving to break down boundaries to caring for Coloradans and making the Governor’s imaginative and prescient of a Colorado for all a actuality,” stated Commissioner Smith.
Commissioner Smith has spent 30 years serving households, youngsters, seniors and the homeless. She has led human companies departments throughout the nation, most just lately serving for practically 5 years as govt director of the Nebraska Division of Well being and Human Providers, the place she led 5 divisions: behavioral well being, youngsters and household companies, developmental disabilities , Medicaid and long-term companies. Time period Care and Public Well being.
Throughout his tenure in Nebraska, Smith convened a statewide behavioral well being activity drive; centered on alternatives to enhance behavioral well being companies for adults and youngsters, and likewise started exploring using Medicaid as a payer for behavioral well being companies; and redesigned the Juvenile Remedy and Rehabilitation Heart system to incorporate intensive medical and therapeutic companies within the juvenile justice system. Whereas in Virginia Seaside, he collaborated with the Sheriff's Workplace to supply enhanced behavioral well being companies within the jail system and supplied strategic oversight within the improvement of the “First Responders” initiative to supply behavioral well being companies locally with the Virginia Seaside Police Division as a part of its requires service.
Commissioner Smith, the 2023 recipient of the American Public Human Providers Affiliation (APHSA) Lifetime Achievement Award, holds a Bachelor's Diploma in Psychology from Jap Michigan College and a Grasp's Diploma in Social Work from the College of Illinois at Chicago. He additionally accomplished the Baby Welfare Government Management Program on the Kennedy College of Authorities at Harvard.
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