Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division Interim Administrator Named

Chris Newman has been named as interim administrator of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division at the Wyoming Department of Health.

“I very much appreciate that Chris is willing to step up on our department’s behalf and accept this important, additional responsibility,” said Tom Forslund, Wyoming Department of Health director. “The clients served by our department deserve the best of care and I’m confident in the leadership Chris will provide.”

Newman has been administrator of the department’s Developmental Disabilities Division since December 2009 and will continue to serve in that role in addition to her new duties. She has worked for the department since 2003, serving previously as deputy administrator and community programs manager. Previously, she served in similar positions with disability-related programs in Indiana.

Newman takes over the leadership of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division following the departure of Korin Schmidt, who is now deputy director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services.