Governor Abbott Announces New Senior Leadership Of DFPS | Office of the Texas Governor

November 28, 2022 | Austin, Texas | Press launch

Governor Greg Abbott at the moment introduced new management appointments to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) that strengthen the company’s mission to serve weak adults and youngsters in Texas by offering high-quality applications and providers. Effective instantly, DFPS Associate Commissioner for Adult Protective Services Kezeli “Kez” Wold will function DFPS Interim Commissioner, with Stephanie Muth assuming the position of Commissioner efficient January 2, 2023. For moreover, Anne Heiligenstein will return to DFPS in the position of Senior Advisor to steer a quantity of key tasks at the company.

“Children and families across Texas will greatly benefit from the expertise and deep understanding of child welfare that this new leadership team brings to DFPS,” stated Governor Abbott. “As an accomplished administrator and organizational leader, Stephanie will contribute her deep understanding of agency operations and increased accountability to strengthen the efforts of this critical agency. I am grateful for Kez’s strong leadership and steady hand during this transition and for Casey Family Programs for making Anne available to return to DFPS to lead many important projects. I look forward to working with these knowledgeable and dedicated public servants to provide the children of Texas with the best possible care and services.”

Beginning January 2, Stephanie will lead DFPS and assist lead the company because it continues to ship Community Based Care (CBC) providers statewide, in addition to advance the company’s compliance with the orders ameliorative in foster care litigation. CBC is designed to offer improved foster care providers for youngsters by giving native communities the flexibility to seek out progressive methods to fulfill the distinctive and particular person wants of youngsters and their households in communities throughout Texas.

Stephanie Muth specializing in well being and human providers coverage, design and operation. Prior to establishing her consulting follow in June 2020, she labored in Texas state authorities for 20 years, together with work in the Texas legislature and government department and holding senior government positions at the Health and Human Services Commission Texas Human Services (HHSC) for over 15 years. years. During her profession, Stephanie has modernized the Texas eligibility system and efficiently overseen a large-scale reorganization of well being and human service applications. As Director of State Medicaid, she managed the operational and coverage points of a well being care supply system serving greater than 4 million Texans. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Kez Wold at the moment serves as DFPS Associate Commissioner for Adult Protective Services, a nationally acknowledged program acknowledged for innovation and consumer providers. He started his profession as a toddler and grownup protecting providers case employee, frontline supervisor, at-risk and self-neglect case professional, program administrator and regional director. Prior to his position as Associate Commissioner for Adult Protective Services, Kez was a Field Director for seven years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas Lutheran College and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University.

Anne Heiligenstein is the present Texas Strategic Consultant for Casey Family Programs. She joined Casey after retiring from state service as DFPS Commissioner. Prior to main DFPS, she was the Executive Deputy Commissioner for HHSC, the place she managed the Medicaid/CHIP eligibility, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Refugee Assistance applications. While working for Casey, she has helped with efforts to strengthen Texas’ baby welfare system, together with safely decreasing the quantity of youngsters in foster care and bettering the lives of these in care. Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science from Trinity University, and is a former member of the Eli Broad Foundation Academy, which trains and develops academic leaders throughout the nation.