Commissioner Jim Stewart of DBHDS announced the establishment of a new office within DBHDS. In August of 2012, the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice was approved by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This past winter, HHR and DBHDS engaged a national consulting firm with public financial and human service expertise to review several aspects of DBHDS’ operations and structure. Based on the recommendations that resulted from this review and the magnitude of our department’s responsibilities related to the settlement agreement, he has decided to establish the Office of the Settlement Agreement Executive Advisor (OSAEA). This office will assist him in the leadership, direction and advisory responsibilities related to monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the Commonwealth’s progress toward compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement. The OSAEA will be led by the newly established Settlement Agreement Executive Advisor and include up to two additional positions.
The OSAEA will be responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the Commonwealth’s initiatives to enable individuals with ID/DD to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs and consistent with their informed choice. The Executive Advisor will be responsible for advising and communicating with stakeholders on the plans, progress toward compliance, and barriers to successful implementation of the settlement agreement. The Advisor will also serve as DBHDS’ chief liaison for all matters related to the settlement agreement with the court appointed Independent Reviewer, the Office of the Secretary of Health & Human Resources, Office of the Attorney General, other state agencies, community services boards, private providers, consumers, families, advocates and other stakeholders.
Heidi Dix, who currently serves as our Assistant Commissioner of Developmental Services, has agreed to assume this new role and position effective immediately. Ms. Dix’s direct experience and involvement over the past three and a half years with the negotiation of the settlement agreement and the planning and implementation of the agreement to date make her an ideal choice to lead this new office. The Executive Advisor will report directly to the Commissioner and serve as a member of the DBHDS Executive Team.
DBHDS will begin a national recruitment effort right away to fill the Assistant Commissioner position that will provide leadership to our Developmental Services operations. In the interim, Olivia Garland, PhD., our Deputy Commissioner, will assume leadership and supervision of the Developmental Services Division.