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, the Chief Financial Officer, and the General Counsel 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.
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.
Deputy Executive Director for 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.
Deputy Executive Director of 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.
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.