Danette R. Smith assumes role increasing access to treatment for mental health issues, substance abuse, and life stressors
news release
governor's office
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DENVER – Today, Governor Jared Polis announced the appointment of Dannette R. Smith as Director of the Department of Behavioral Health (BHA).
“Expanding access to the behavioral health care that Coloradans need continues to be a top priority for my administration, and we are excited to have Danette help achieve our vision. Danette Throughout her 30-year career, Ms. I am confident that we will continue to help them receive the quality care they deserve,” Governor Polis said. “I would like to thank Michelle Burns for stepping into this role as Interim Commissioner and bringing her expertise and leadership to BHA. Michelle’s dedication continues to help Colorado achieve its goals. , we thank her for her dedicated public service.”
This appointment was determined by extensive stakeholder feedback across the state and reflects the Governor's commitment to bringing transformative change to Colorado's behavioral health system. Under Secretary Smith's leadership, BHA continues to work with diverse community groups and providers to expand services and recruit and retain a talented workforce to provide quality behavioral health services in Colorado. We will continue to focus on increasing access to. Commissioner-elect Smith is expected to assume his role on March 18, 2024. At that time, Interim Secretary Michelle Burns will return to her role as Executive Director of the Department of Human Services.
“The Governor and his administration have built a strong foundation for behavioral health, and I look forward to using my experience to build on this great initiative and continue to expand services in Colorado. “I'm excited to work to break down barriers to care for Coloradans and realize the Governor's vision of Colorado for All,” said Secretary Smith.
Secretary Smith has spent 30 years serving families, children, aging populations, and people experiencing homelessness. She has led human services departments across the country, most recently serving for nearly five years as chief executive officer at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, where she led five departments: Behavioral Health, Child and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, and Medicaid/Long-Term. there was. Routine medical care and public health.
During his tenure in Nebraska, Smith convened a statewide behavioral health task force. He focused on opportunities to improve behavioral health services for adults and children and began exploring the use of Medicaid as a payer for behavioral health services. and redesigned our system of youth rehabilitation and treatment centers to incorporate intensive clinical and therapeutic services into the juvenile justice system. While in Virginia Beach, she worked with the Sheriff's Office to enhance behavioral health services within the jail and with the Virginia Beach Police Department in developing the “First Responder” initiative to provide behavioral health services in the community. Provided strategic oversight. It's part of a service call.
Secretary Smith, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Public Welfare Association (APHSA) in 2023, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also completed her Leadership Program in Child Welfare Executives at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
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