Governor Appoints New Behavioral Health Commissioner
The governor has named the next commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Frank Berry will be taking over as the state’s top mental health official.
He currently serves as CEO of View Point Health, one of 27 state agencies helping those with developmental disabilities, mental health issues, and substance abuse problems. View Point primarily covers Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Newton counties.
DBHDD spokesman Tom Wilson said Berry’s background makes him a good fit for the job.
“Georgia’s currently going from being heavily invested in institutional services to building the kind of services that allow people to live independently if possible in their own communities and so Frank Berry brings with him that experience.”
The appointment comes shortly after current commissioner Frank Shelp said he would resign later this summer.
Shelp has led the agency since its creation in 2009. He’s been key in implementing the state’s 2010 settlement with the U.S. Justice Department. That agreement ordered Georgia to improve its mental health and developmental disabilities system.
However, Shelp has received criticism for his handling of contract procurements and agency bonuses.
Shelp will stay on until Berry takes over in August.
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