Replacement needs history with children, Medicaid

The Arkansister: A column by Jessica DeLoach Sabin

On Oct. 8, John Selig, the director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, informed employees that he will be leaving his position at the end of the year.

Selig started as the DHS director in 2005 under former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s administration, which makes him the longest-serving DHS director Arkansas has ever had. In fact, all but two of his 27 years of service to our state has been to this particular agency. From the days when Huckabee decided it was time to merge the state Department of Health and the state Department of Human Services into one entity to the most recent significant overhaul of our health care system via the implementation of the private option, Selig has seen quite a bit. Although his rise to this particular agency’s top post happened roughly 10 years ago, you’ve got to think that his overall experience has provided him with a more thoughtful and deeper perspective about how DHS can best serve all Arkansans.

But Selig’s been on the receiving end of some legislative vitriol over the past year and recently because there have been some elected officials who are not pleased with a host of mismanaged technology contracts related to the computerized enrollment and eligibility system for our state’s food stamp and Medicaid programs.

Selig, who is reportedly ready to move into the private sector, stated that “DHS may see some big changes next year, and I think that would be a good time for new leadership.”

Since a transition in leadership is inevitable, the governor is now tasked with finding a comparable replacement — someone who is ready to take on the massive agency and all of its ongoing challenges. In a recent interview, Gov. Asa Hutchinson indicated that he will first look to the private business sector to find his replacement by the end of the year. He noted that the new leader would need to understand the business process and “managing very technical IT projects.” He said it would be a bonus if this person “had a background in children’s services or youth services and Medicaid.” I’d argue that we need exactly both and that we shouldn’t accept anything less.

While there is no question that the next head of DHS should have significant business management experience, we would be mistaken if we didn’t hire a person who had specific experience with Medicaid and who has shown some professional interest in children and youth.

On top of this, the next person is going to have to oversee the implementation of the inevitable changes that will be made to our state’s Medicaid program.

Here’s to hoping that the governor is taking all angles into consideration for who he wants to lead the next chapter of human services in our state. This is a golden opportunity to put someone in place who can be both an advocate for what’s best for Arkansans and who can also complete the work with a keen eye that can navigate the challenges that naturally surround such a large agency.

Jessica DeLoach Sabin appears on Political Plays on KARK on Friday mornings.

Upcoming Events