Latest news with #HumanServicesDepartment
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pierce County's new head of homeless and health programs has federal experience
Pierce County's Human Services Department has a new director to oversee the county's homeless services, affordable housing efforts and behavioral health programs. Gary Gant, has been selected to serve as the new leader of Human Services, following what the county described as a 'competitive and meritorious recruitment process.' His first day in the new position was June 2. According to Human Services spokesperson Kari Moore, Gant will be paid $213,640 per year. In his most recent position as field office director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Gant helped increase access to behavioral health services and improve housing stability, according to the county. He previously served as deputy regional administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). According to the county, he co-managed a six-state region overseeing program delivery and organizing mass vaccination events during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his new role at the county, Gant will oversee Human Services many divisions, including Behavioral Health, Community Services and Aging and Disability Resources. He also will be responsible for overseeing more than 400 contracts with community-based agencies and local providers delivering services to some of the most vulnerable residents in the community, including individuals with disabilities, children, veterans and people experiencing homelessness. From 2020 to 2023, the department had an average annual budget of over $134 million. As of October 2024, the department had just under 300 employees. According to Human Services, Gant earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of the Incarnate Word, a master's degree in business administration from Western Governors University, and a master's degree in public health from the University of Washington. He has served on several boards and committees including the Puget Sound Regional Council, National Library of Medicine State Advisory Group, and the Somali Family Safety Task Force. Gant also has significant experience collaborating with the Veterans Health Administration and the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program to connect veterans experiencing homelessness with stable housing and support services. Helen McGovern had been serving as Acting Director for the department since the beginning of the year. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello ousted the previous Human Services director, Heather Moss, as one of the first actions of his office.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pierce County's new head of homeless and health programs has federal experience
Pierce County's Human Services Department has a new director to oversee the county's homeless services, affordable housing efforts and behavioral health programs. Gary Gant, has been selected to serve as the new leader of Human Services, following what the county described as a 'competitive and meritorious recruitment process.' His first day in the new position was June 2. According to Human Services spokesperson Kari Moore, Gant will be paid $213,640 per year. In his most recent position as field office director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Gant helped increase access to behavioral health services and improve housing stability, according to the county. He previously served as deputy regional administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). According to the county, he co-managed a six-state region overseeing program delivery and organizing mass vaccination events during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his new role at the county, Gant will oversee Human Services many divisions, including Behavioral Health, Community Services and Aging and Disability Resources. He also will be responsible for overseeing more than 400 contracts with community-based agencies and local providers delivering services to some of the most vulnerable residents in the community, including individuals with disabilities, children, veterans and people experiencing homelessness. From 2020 to 2023, the department had an average annual budget of over $134 million. As of October 2024, the department had just under 300 employees. According to Human Services, Gant earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of the Incarnate Word, a master's degree in business administration from Western Governors University, and a master's degree in public health from the University of Washington. He has served on several boards and committees including the Puget Sound Regional Council, National Library of Medicine State Advisory Group, and the Somali Family Safety Task Force. Gant also has significant experience collaborating with the Veterans Health Administration and the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program to connect veterans experiencing homelessness with stable housing and support services. Helen McGovern had been serving as Acting Director for the department since the beginning of the year. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello ousted the previous Human Services director, Heather Moss, as one of the first actions of his office.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Uncertainty looms over Oakland Head Start program after abrupt leadership firings
OAKLAND — Parents and educators in Oakland are expressing deep concern over the future of the city's Head Start program following the sudden dismissal of its two top leaders. The federally funded early education initiative, which has served low-income and homeless families in Oakland for over five decades, is now facing what supporters fear could be an existential crisis. The City of Oakland recently terminated Head Start Director Diveena Cooppan and Assistant to the Director Martina Bouey without explanation, a move that supporters said threatens the stability of the 54-year-old program. "It honestly saved my life," said Eunique Hawkins, a Head Start parent, while picking up her daughter at the 85th Avenue program site on Friday. "I was really going to have to quit [my job]. I didn't have no one that was able to watch them while I was at work." Hawkins' four-year-old daughter, Savanna, has been enrolled in Head Start for three years. She credits the teachers for helping her daughter develop critical speech and social skills. "She walks in and she talks to her teachers. She talks to her friends. She's more open. She's completely changed to a different baby," Hawkins said. Her oldest daughter also went through Head Start and saw lasting benefits. "She went to kindergarten and thrived and excelled because of everything that she learned at Head Start. So they really do set the kids up for success," she added. The Head Start program currently serves around 430 children across 14 locations, primarily in East Oakland. It provides childcare, preschool, and other support services for children from birth to age five living in poverty. The abrupt firings have left many in the community shocked and anxious about what lies ahead. "There was no indication that [I would be fired]. When I was released, they just said that the city is taking the department in a different direction," said Bouey. When asked what that direction might be, she replied, "I don't know. I honestly don't know what that means. They did not share any of their plans with me." Bouey described the dismissal of both her and Cooppan as "a big shock," especially given the staff's praise for their leadership. An internal email from Assistant City Administrator LaTonda Simmons, obtained by CBS News Bay Area, announced that the firings would be effective Friday, May 2. The email stated that both administrators had been placed on administrative leave on April 25. It added: "At this critical time in the City's review of structural and fiscal conditions, the Office of the City Administrator is focused on stabilization of the Human Services Department." While the firings appear to be part of a cost-saving measure amid Oakland's mounting budget deficit, it's unclear how much financial impact the decision will actually have. The majority of Head Start's funding comes from federal and state sources, with only a small portion provided by the city. "With such abrupt leadership change, there was no time or no opportunity to do a hand-off, to transition," Bouey said. She warned that the program's complex regulatory requirements make leadership transitions especially difficult. Longtime Oakland educator Dr. Ida Oberman echoed those concerns. "I'm extremely worried that the program will shrink, even risk being eliminated in this time while it's serving so many children," she said. The charter school she founded in East Oakland enrolls many former Head Start students. "Any budget is a moral document as we know," Dr. Oberman added. "And we should realize that making the cuts on the backs of the most vulnerable is not a smart move if we know that the most vulnerable are also the future of Oakland. We want students to stay and thrive and grow so that Oakland can thrive and grow." In a statement, city spokesman Sean Maher said, "The City Administrator's Office executive team is engaging with the Head Start team now to support next steps for the program. We will provide updates to the program participants as needed." According to the internal email, Human Services Manager Robin Love has been appointed as interim leader of the Head Start program. Although Hawkins' youngest child will begin kindergarten in a few months, she says the stakes remain high for other families who depend on the program. "Keep Head Start. It's very crucial to the city. It's very crucial to the kids. It's crucial to the parents. We really need it," she urged. Supporters of the program are now encouraging Oakland residents to contact their city council members and advocate for its preservation.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Romanian accused of EBT fraud appears in court while benefit thefts decrease in March
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 24-year-old Romanian, Alberto-Ionel Baran is facing five felonies and one misdemeanor including money laundering, grand theft and fraudulent possession of a scanning device. On Tuesday, Baran's case faced another setback in the justice system, scheduling yet another pre-preliminary hearing in his case for late April. The Human Services Department had 426 reimbursement requests for January. In February, there were 504 benefits thefts and in March, there were 204 thefts. The county refused to disclose the dollar amount these thefts resulted in and said it has no record of thefts before 2025. Baran was arrested alongside Fernando Stantu and Mari-Mar Milica at the Bank of America on California Avenue, on Nov. 1, 2024. Kidney donor detained by ICE before life-saving transplant can take place The three Romanians were allegedly fraudulently withdrawing EBT from the ATM, just after 6 a.m. They were found with over $15,000 in stolen cash, 48 cloned cards, and skimming devices. A skimming device is a deep insert that goes into the ATM and clones cards. Stantu and Milica posted bail and never showed up to court. A warrant is out for their arrests. Baran was initially given a $150,000 bail, but was then changed to no bail. He is due back in court on April 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE officials confirmed in another CT town. Police say they remain ‘committed to serving everyone'
Immigration officials have been confirmed in another Connecticut town. Authorities with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were recently in Windham carrying out 'enforcement actions,' according to the Willimantic Police Department. In a statement issued Tuesday, police said they were aware of the presence of ICE and were not involved in the agency's operations. 'We want to assure residents that the ICE officers are operating within the bounds of their legal authority,' the police department said. 'There is no immediate cause for concern, and we encourage all residents to continue their daily activities as usual,' police continued. 'Should circumstances change, we will reassess and inform the public as soon as possible.' 'At the Willimantic Police Department, our priority is the safety and well-being of all our residents,' Willimantic Police Chief Fabian Silva said in the statement. 'We want to reassure the community that ICE operations are separate from our local law enforcement activities. We remain committed to serving everyone in our community with fairness, respect, and integrity.' In a post made to Facebook, the Windham Human Services Department said it was aware of the presence of ICE agents and that 'our hearts go out to the families who may be impacted during this challenging time.' 'We want you to know that we stand in solidarity with all members of our community, regardless of immigration status,' the Human Services Department wrote. 'While the Human Services Department cannot provide legal advice, we are here to help with information and referrals to trusted organizations that specialize in immigration resources. Additionally, we have Spanish-speaking staff available to assist with translations and guide you to the appropriate support.' The presence of ICE officials in Windham comes amidst reports that immigration authorities have been spotted in multiple Connecticut towns and cities. These reports follow President Donald J. Trump announcing a mass deportation plan. The East Harford Police Department confirmed on Monday that ICE had entered a home in their town. According to the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, there have also been reports of ICE officials being seen in Bridgeport, the lower Fairfield County and on Park Street in Hartford. A spokesperson for the Hartford Mayor's Office denied these claims, saying the sighting was a number of police officers who were out to lunch. 'We have no reports of increased ICE activity in Hartford at this point,' said Cristian Corza, deputy chief of staff for the mayor's office. A spokesperson for ICE did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday.
