With AHS Secretary’s Departure, VSEA Calls On Governor To Vet Replacement Carefully

AHS Secretary Mike Smith announced yesterday that he is leaving state service, prompting this quote from VSEA Executive Director in a VtDigger story about Smith’s departure:

“[VSEA is] hoping that, when the governor chooses his replacement, he’ll find somebody who has more human services experience and find someone who sees state employees as valuable assets — not just numbers in the machine.”

With all the issues currently adversely impacting frontline Corrections, Health Department, Department for Children and Families, Labor Department workers and employees in other agencies and departments, Howard’s request would seem fair and in Vermont’s best interest.

For now, the governor has appointed Deputy Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson as interim secretary.