Gov. Gregoire Appoints Ken Stark to New MH Post

Kenneth D. Stark, Director of the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) since 1988, has been appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to head up an innovative program aimed at retooling delivery of the state’s mental health care system under funding from a federal Mental Health Transformation Grant.  Washington was one of seven states to win the grant, which will total between $2 million and $3 million per year over the next five years. The grant will enable a comprehensive review of mental health services at every level of government and encompass all state and local programs – public health, law enforcement and corrections, employment security, education and social services – that are involved with mental health.  Doug Allen was named Acting Director of DASA.