Eric Clark Appointed Commissioner, Department for Community Based Services (DCBS)
Elizabeth Caywood Appointed Deputy Commissioner
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 5, 2018) – A new Commissioner has
been named in the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), within the
Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). The department provides family
support; child care; child and adult protection; eligibility determinations for
Medicaid and food benefits; and administration of an energy cost-assistance
program.
Eric Clark begins the role of DCBS Commissioner immediately.
Clark is an experienced government administration professional who specializes
in organizational leadership, program development, public policy, project
management, and advocacy. He has been with the Cabinet since 2015 serving as
Legislative Director and most recently as Chief of Staff.
“Eric Clark has been a tremendous asset to CHFS, first as
the Legislative Director of the cabinet and more recently as Chief of Staff,”
said Gov. Matt Bevin. “I know that he will continue to demonstrate his
characteristic compassion, determination, and strong work ethic as Commissioner
for DCBS. His comprehensive knowledge of CHFS is unparalleled, he is
committed to the department’s mission of strengthening Kentucky’s families and
children, and he will work tirelessly to support DCBS’ essential network of
services and community-based partners.”
Clark was a member of the CHFS group that worked collaboratively
with legislators, Gov. Matt Bevin and First Lady Glenna Bevin, Administrative
Office of the Courts (AOC) and advocates to design the framework for House Bill
1, the sweeping foster care and adoption bill that was passed during the recent
legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Bevin.
“I’ve called HB 1 the most transformative piece of child
welfare legislation ever seen in Kentucky and I’m ready to lead DCBS as we
seize the momentum to implement reforms that will make Kentucky’s child welfare
system the best in the nation,” said Commissioner Clark. “DCBS is bigger than
any one issue. I pledge that we will implement new approaches to both help our
employees safely perform their duties more efficiently and better serve our
clients. Our challenges are great, but our opportunities are greater.”
DCBS has more than 4,000 employees throughout the state with
local offices in each county.
“Eric has been extremely successful leading the Cabinet’s legislative,
regulatory and public policy objectives, overseeing the Governor’s Red Tape
Initiative and offering strategic and programmatic input to allow us to better
serve our employees and the people we serve,” said CHFS Secretary Adam Meier.
“I am confident Eric will excel in this new role.”
A Frankfort native, Clark received his undergraduate and
graduate degrees from Kentucky State University. He currently resides in
Louisville with his family.
Elizabeth Caywood, a 19-year career employee at DCBS, who has
served the last month as Acting Commissioner, will be a Deputy Commissioner
within the department. Twelve of Caywood’s 19 years in the agency have been
spent in the Commissioner’s Office as an Internal Policy Analyst IV and
Executive Advisor. Caywood previously served as Chief of Staff for the agency.
Caywood’s experience spans every public assistance, child care, and social
service program administered by DCBS.
“Elizabeth Caywood has demonstrated excellent leadership
skills as Acting Commissioner of DCBS during this time of transition for the
department, and I am grateful for her willingness to continue to serve Kentucky
families as Deputy Commissioner,” said Gov. Bevin.
“I am extremely optimistic about the direction and future
for DCBS, and I look forward to being a part of Commissioner Clark’s leadership
team,” concluded Caywood.
Also today, Secretary Meier announced Tresa Straw will
become the Cabinet’s new Chief of Staff. Straw is a Human Resources (HR) expert
with more than 20 years of state government experience. She has more than 13
years’ service in the CHFS HR department where’s she’s spent the past four
years as Deputy Executive Director of the Office Human Resource Management.
Straw will serve as principal staff officer and primary coordinator for staff
and senior management. She will also provide guidance to the Secretary and
staff on various policy and strategic initiatives.
-30-
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is home to most
of the state's human services and healthcare programs, including the Department
for Medicaid Services, the Department for Community Based Services the
Department for Public Health, the Department for Aging and Independent Living
and the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual
Disabilities. CHFS is one of the largest agencies in state government, with
nearly 8,000 full- and part-time employees located across the Commonwealth
focused on improving the lives and health of Kentuckians.
|
