To: Dane County Board of Supervisors
Fr: County Executive Joe Parisi
Re: Human Services Transition/Recruitment
I think we can all agree we are saddened and frustrated by the manner in which the recent nomination process for Director of the Department of Human Services unfolded. While no one can undo what’s occurred, we most certainly can influence how we proceed.
Given what’s taken place, it’s important we all take some time to reset and allow for the intensity of the public dialogue to cool. It’s time for a pause, and a return to the type of constructive and productive discourse our community deserves. The public isn’t interested in needless back and forth. They elected all of us to work together and forge solutions toward a common good.
We also know, in the wake of what just unfolded, attracting top tier candidates through an immediate recruitment will be challenging. This process needs room to breathe. In the coming weeks, my administration will discuss options for how to overcome this challenge with various recruitment firms and re-engage in another national search based on their objective recommendations.
Between now and then, it’s essential our county government continues to administer operations in the manner our community expects and deserves. To that end, today I’m appointing Gloria Reyes as co-deputy director of the Dane County Department of Human Services. She will serve in this capacity along with Astra Iheukumere to ensure county government’s largest agency has the administrative support required to coordinate a number of upcoming projects, including development of the department’s 2024 budget and navigating the transition from ongoing Covid-related support programs.
Gloria oversaw human services programming in her role as Madison Deputy Mayor, and worked closely with our county team. Through that work, she’s well versed in county-led community initiatives like our Early Childhood Zones, Joining Forces for Families, and others. As former President of the Madison School Board, she is also well versed on the challenges facing young people and their families in our community. The Madison School District was one of the first to partner with Dane County when we launched our school-based mental health teams, a program known as “Building Bridges.” Gloria has also been active in neighborhood community centers and with organizations like Centro Hispano, and has formerly served as Executive Director of Briarpatch which Dane County has partnered with to great effect through the years.
Gloria will support the management team in place at Human Services. She is a widely respected and talented community leader and I’m grateful for her willingness to serve the citizens of Dane County during this period of transition.
As we move forward with the recruitment for the next director in the coming weeks, I look forward to a constructive and positive process and outcome.
Cc: Department of Administration Director Brockmeyer
Amy Utzig, Director Employee Relations
