Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Grossi replaces Hayward at HHS

From the gov's office:

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today appointed former State Budget Officer Lee D. Grossi as interim Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (OHHS). Grossi replaces Jane Hayward, who will retire from state service on October 5, 2007. Grossi has agreed to serve without a salary.

In appointing Grossi, Governor Carcieri cited his budget expertise as well as his familiarity with programs offered at the Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). In addition to his role as State Budget Officer from 1985 to 1990, Grossi served as Associate Director of DHS from 1990 to 1995 and Associate Director of DCYF from 1979 to 1982 and again from 1995 to 1997.

“I’m very pleased that Lee Grossi has agreed to temporarily return to state government in order to serve as the interim Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Governor Carcieri said. “Rhode Island’s health and human service programs are at a crossroads. Human service programs offered at five state departments make up the lion’s share of the state budget, while the costs of those programs are growing every year. At the same time, the state is facing yet another serious budget deficit.”

“As a former state budget officer who also possesses important experience with many of the state’s human service programs, Lee Grossi is the ideal candidate to head this important office at this critical time,” Carcieri continued. “For over a month, I have been working intensively with all my department directors, including the human service departments, to craft a plan to resolve the state’s budget problems. In his new position, Lee Grossi will play a vital role in those discussions.”