Central Office
The Central Office of the Department of Mental Health provides the overall statewide administrative functions for the programs and services that fall under the oversight of the agency. The Central Office is headed by the Executive Director with bureaus and divisions falling under the direction of the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, the Deputy Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services, the Deputy Executive Director of IDD Services, or the Chief Financial Officer.
Please contact the DMH switchboard at 601-359-1288 and ask to be directed to the appropriate division or contact person you are seeking.
Executive Director
Wendy Bailey is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. The Chief of Staff, the Deputy Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services, the Deputy Executive Director of IDD Services and the Chief Financial Officer report directly to the Executive Director.
She has been with DMH for more than 21 years. Prior to being named Executive Director, she served in the roles of Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Services, Chief of Staff, and more. Her roles have included overseeing strategic planning for the agency, communications and outreach, peer support, legislative affairs, licensure and certification, and more.
She serves on numerous boards and task forces, including the National Research Institute Board of Directors, Southeast Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Advisory Board, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services Board, State Early Childhood Advisory Council, ABLE Board, Certified Public Manager Advisory Board, and Mississippi’s Opioid Settlement Fund Council. She serves as a liaison with national organizations such as Mental Health America, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.
Bureau of Crisis Services
The Bureau of Crisis Services is responsible for the oversight of Mississippi’s crisis continuum and facilitates care coordination. This bureau oversees three divisions – the Division of Crisis Response, the Division of Care Coordination, and the Director of 988.
Division of Care Coordination
The Division of Care Coordination oversees activities related to the coordination and navigation of care for individuals in need of mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) services. This division supervises and oversees the Office of Consumer Support, the Specialized Planning and Options to Transition Team (SPOTT), as well as diversion and care coordination.
Division of Crisis Response
The Division of Crisis Response oversees the various crisis services that are funded and certified through DMH, including Mobile Crisis Response Teams, Crisis Stabilization Units, Crisis Intervention Teams, Diversion Centers and other services and supports in the crisis continuum of care.
Chief of Staff
Katie Storr is the Chief of Staff with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Her office oversees the Director of Human Resources, the Division of Planning and Communications and the Division of Outreach and Training.
She also acts as a liaison with the Mississippi Legislature, state leaders and elected officials, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
Division of Human Resources
The Division of Human Resources is responsible for employment and workforce development in the DMH Central Office, including human core capital processing, recruitment, retention, benefits, and more. The division also oversees the contract management of the agency’s contract workers and independent contractors to maintain compliance with state rules and regulations.
Division of Planning and Communications
The Division of Planning and Communications is responsible for coordinating the reporting of the DMH strategic plan, internal and external communications, media relations and serves as a point of contact for public records requests.
Division of Outreach and Training
The Division of Outreach and Training oversees outreach efforts, public awareness campaigns, statewide suicide prevention, and additional trainings such as Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Deputy Executive Director, Behavioral Health Services
Jake Hutchins is Deputy Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services. He administers and monitors the delivery of mental health services at state-operated behavioral health programs and at certified community providers. The primary focus of his tenure with DMH has been coordinating statewide mental health services for adults and children and youth in community-based settings.
The Deputy Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services oversees the Bureau of Behavioral Health Services and the Office of Utilization Review within the Central Office.
Bureau of Behavioral Health Services
The Bureau of Behavioral Health Services is responsible for the administration of state and federal funds utilized to develop, implement and expand a comprehensive continuum of services to assist people to live successfully at home and in the community. These services are provided by community mental health centers and other community service providers. The Bureau includes the Division of Adult Mental Health Services, Division of Children and Youth Services, Division of Peer Support, Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Services and the Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Services.
Division of Children and Youth
The Division of Children and Youth Services plans and develops community-based mental health services for children and youth who are in need of mental health treatment. The division networks with other agencies to provide resources and funding and to coordinate efforts at the local, state and federal levels.
Division of Adult Mental Health Services
The Division of Adult Mental Health Services directly supervises the development, coordination and maintenance for adult community mental health services, including Programs of Assertive Community Treatment, Intensive Community Outreach Recovery Teams, Intensive Community Support Services and more.
Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Services
The Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Services monitors and reviews substance use treatment services and programs certified and funded by DMH through the federal Substance Abuse Block Grant and the state’s 3% Wine & Liquor Tax.
Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Services
The Division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Services monitors and reviews substance use prevention programs certified and funded by DMH through the federal Substance Abuse Block Grant.
Division of Peer Recovery and Support
The Division of Peer Recovery and Support coordinates peer support services at DMH Certified Providers and DMH-operated programs. The purpose of peer support services is to encourage individuals to become and stay engaged in the recovery process and to reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Deputy Executive Director, IDD Services
Craig Kittrell is the Deputy Executive Director for Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services. He oversees the intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that DMH operates. He has served in several roles at both Behavioral Health and IDD programs that DMH operates, where he oversaw various operations of support services.
The Deputy Executive Director for IDD Services also oversees the Community IDD Services that include the ID/DD Waiver Program and the IDD Community Support Program. These services provide care to more than 5,000 Mississippians with IDD.
Division of ID/DD Waiver
The Division of ID/DD Waiver provides individualized supports and services to assist people in living successfully at home and in the community and are an alternative to care in institutional settings. These Medicaid-funded supports and services are available as long as the cost of supporting individuals in the home or community does not exceed the cost of caring for individuals in institutional settings.
Division of IDD Community Support Program
The IDD Community Support Program, also known as 1915(i), is a Medicaid funded State Plan. The Division of IDD Community Support Program offers support and services to individuals with Intellectual and Development Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. They are also responsible for the administration of IDD Targeted Case Management.
Division of IDD Transition Services
The Division of ID/DD Transition Services helps people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities transition from institutional settings (ICF/Nursing Home) to the ID/DD Waiver. Transition Services provide transition assistance, which is a one-time set up expense for people who transition from an ICF institutional setting to a less restrictive community living arrangement.
Division of Autism Services
The Division of Autism Services provides statewide leadership in program development for children and adults with ASD, including the establishment of program standards and coordination of program capacity across Mississippi. The division is responsible for developing and coordinating a long-term, comprehensive statewide system of care for individuals with ASD — one grounded in scientific research and nationally recognized best practices. This includes working across agencies, engaging the public and sharing information openly to support better decisions and more effective care.
Chief Financial Officer
Kelly Breland is the Chief Financial Officer. He oversees the Division of Accounting, which is responsible for accounting and finance services, as well as the Division of Audit/Grants, which oversees the use of grant funds, assesses quality of internal controls, and determines compliance with policies and procedures. In addition, the Chief Information Officer reports to him.
Division of Accounting
The Division of Accounting is responsible for accounting and finance services at the DMH Central Office. This includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and purchasing.
Division of Audits/Grants
The Division of Audits/Grants oversees the use of grant funds received by and distributed from DMH. The division also assesses quality of internal controls and determines compliance with policies and procedures.