PRESS RELEASE
Albert Hawkins
Executive Commissioner
Date: July 23, 2004
Contact: Stephanie Goodman (512) 424-6951
Experienced Manager Chosen
to Lead Adult Protective Services
AUSTIN – Debra Wanser, an experienced executive at the Texas Department of Health, will take over management of the Adult Protective Services Program for the Department of Family and Protective Services.
“Debra's extensive management experience will benefit our Adult Protective Services program at a time when significant changes are being made,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. “Her first job will be to implement the corrective action plan we've developed to improve these services throughout the state.”
Wanser, currently the associate commissioner for family health for the Texas Department of Health (TDH), will begin her new role as an assistant commissioner at the Department of Family and Protective Services on Aug. 9.
For the past three years, Wanser has led the bureaus of children's health, kidney health, nutrition services, women's health and support services. She is a nurse with a background in public health and mental health programs and has been at TDH for 12 years. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Edward's University in Austin and a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
The corrective action plan for Adult Protective Services was developed after an April executive order by Gov. Rick Perry to “oversee the systemic reform of the Adult Protective Services program.” The plan calls for ensuring sufficient staffing, conducting more thorough client evaluations and expanding local guardianship programs. A final report reviewing all actions taken to reform Adult Protective Services and recommended statutory changes is due by Nov. 1.
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) was launched in February as the first of four new departments in a major transformation of Texas health and human services. It includes the programs previously administered by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
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The corrective action plan for Adult Protective Services is available on the HHSC Internet site, www.hhsc.state.tx.us . |
