DDES INFO MEMO 2003-02
July 17, 2003
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Disability and Elder Services
To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
ARC
Birth to 3 Interagency Coordinating Council
Bureau Directors
County DD Coordinators
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
DD Council Members
Family Support Coordinators
ICC Council
Movin’ Out
People First
Section Chiefs/Licensing Chiefs
Survival Coalition
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
WI Brain Injury Association
Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy
From:
Sinikka Santala (McCabe)
Administrator
Re: Sue Jones’ Retirement and BDDS Interim Director Announcement
As many of you may already know, Sue Jones has retired from her
position as the Director of Bureau of Developmental Disabilities
Services. Sue has worked many years, especially in the area of
developmental disabilities, but also in mental health and Medicaid
programs. Her life’s work has made a significant difference in
individual lives and in the Wisconsin developmental disabilities system
policies and programs. Sue’s unique ability to always focus on the
needs of the individual with developmental disabilities and her sense of
humor, fierce commitment to high quality services and uncompromising
commitment to collaboration with consumers, families, counties and
providers will be missed.
I am pleased to announce that Mike Linak is now the Interim Director
of the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS). Mike has
twenty-eight years in human service/public administration with extensive
managerial experience within healthcare, vocational, educational, and
therapeutic environments, within DHFS and Divisions providing services
and supports to people with developmental disabilities.
Most recently, Mike has assisted in oversight of daily operations
within BDDS, as well as overseeing guardian relations and the functions
of the Community Capacity Teams at DD Centers. Previously, he spent two
years overseeing admissions, discharges, and transfers throughout the
State DD Centers for individuals with challenging behavioral and health
care issues, more than 20 years as Director of Vocational &
Education Services at Central Wisconsin Center, and 10 years as a
Contract Administrator for out-sourced day-programs, coordinating
services for adults with developmentally disabilities with complex
health and physical needs. In addition, Mike spent 4 years as an
Institutional Unit Director at Central Wisconsin Center, directing and
supervising a residential living-unit program and successfully
facilitated community placement of many young adults with developmental
disabilities.
I am confident that Mike and the BDDS management team will continue
to reflect their role as collaborative partners with people with
developmental disabilities, families, advocates, counties and support
agencies in promoting and assuring the capacity of communities to
include individuals with developmental disabilities. Mike can be reached
at 608-266-1140 or linakmj@dhfs.state.wi.us.
Please join me in welcoming Mike to his new interim assignment!
CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Sinikka Santala (Note Name change from McCabe)
Administrator
Division of Disability and Elder Services
1 West Wilson Street, Rm. 850
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-0554
santass@dhfs.state.wi.us
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