Sacramento, CA – The County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) of California released the following statement from Interim Executive Director Eileen Cubanski today on the departure of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly and the appointment of Department of Social Services Director Kim Johnson as his replacement.

“CWDA offers our sincere thanks to Dr. Mark Ghaly for his service as California’s Health and Human Services Secretary. Dr. Ghaly’s steady leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic is well known for helping to save countless lives. County human services directors know his close partnership with us also ensured children, seniors, and families received health care, food assistance, and other critical supports at a time of unprecedented demand for our vital services.  

“CWDA looks forward to a continued, close partnership with incoming Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson. In her past role as the Director of the California Department of Social Services, Ms. Johnson worked hand in hand with CWDA to help strengthen the social services programs delivered by counties, to make critical supports more accessible and equitable for Californians facing hunger and food insecurity, deep poverty, and abuse and neglect. We look forward to close collaboration with Ms. Johnson, building on our work together to transform, modernize and improve the systems and programs serving county clients, always with a client-centered approach.”