DDES INFO MEMO 2007-03

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services 
Division of Disability and Elder Services 
DDES Info Memo Series
Date: February 21, 2007

To: Listserv

For:  Aging and Disability Resource Centers 
Area Agencies on Aging 
County COP Coordinators 
County Department of Community Program Directors 
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors 
County Departments of Social Services Directors 
County Waiver Coordinators 
County DD Coordinators 
County Mental Health and AODA Coordinators 
County Aging Unit Directors 
Family Care CMOs 
Independent Living Centers 
Tribal Chairpersons 
Human Services Facilitators

From: Sinikka Santala, Administrator

Subject: Department proposed reorganization announcement

We would like to take this opportunity to make you aware that the Department of Health and Family Services has submitted a reorganization proposal to the Department of Administration for its approval. We are restructuring to better align ourselves with our mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin.

The proposal includes dividing the current Division of Disability and Elder Services into two separate Divisions, while making the Office of Quality Assurance its own Division. Disability and Elder Services will become: the (1) Division of Long Term Care, and (2) Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Sinikka Santala will serve as the Administrator for the Division of Long Term Care and joining her Division will be the Nursing Home Services Section, which provides nursing home policy, reimbursement and auditing services. John Easterday will be the Interim Administrator for the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

The Office of Quality Assurance will become its own Division due to the size and breadth of responsibilities. Otis Woods will remain as a classified, civil service Administrator for this Division.

Please note that all of your contacts for all of these program areas will remain the same. We simply wanted to inform you that this proposal has been submitted and we continue to working with you in the future.

REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACTS: Area Administrators

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT: Sinikka Santala, Administrator 
Room 850 
Department of Health and Family Services 
PO Box 7851 
Madison, WI 53707-7851 
Telephone: 608-266-0554

John Easterday, Interim Administrator 
Room 850 
Department of Health and Family Services 
PO Box 7850 
Madison, WI 53707-7850 
Telephone: 608-267-9391

MEMO WEB SITE: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/ 

cc: Area Administrators/Human Services Area Coordinators 
All DDES Councils and Committees 
Disability Rights Wisconsin 
Mental Health Association of Wisconsin 
Wisconsin Council of Independent Living Centers 
Independent Living Council of Wisconsin 
Grass Roots Empowerment Program 
NAMI Wisconsin 
People First 
ARC Wisconsin 
Board on Aging and Long Term Care

Last Revised: May 03, 2007