Morse to step down as head of welfare department

Secretary of Human Services Michael K. Smith Announces Change in Leadership for the Department for Children and Families
Agency of Human Services Secretary Michael K. Smith has announced that James Morse will retire as Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families on September 30, 2005. Commissioner Morse stepped down from the bench in February of 2003 to accept the leadership position in what was then the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
Commissioner Morse focused his energies on strengthening early childhood care, health and education, and leading the Department through the substantial reorganization of the Agency of Human Services.
Secretary Smith also announced that Mr. Morse will be succeeded by Stephen Dale as Commissioner for the Department for Children and Families. Steve holds a masters degree in Education from Allegheny College and is a Certified Public Manager in Vermont. During his 30-year career in human services, Steve has been a manager in the Department of Corrections and the Department of SRS, was Director of the Baird Center for Children and Families, and for the past 11 months, has provided leadership for the reorganization of human services in the role of Deputy Commissioner of Field Services for AHS.
The Department for Children and Families was formed on July 1, 2004, and includes programs for young children, child welfare and youth justice, economic benefits, child support, and programs to combat poverty. It also supports the new system of AHS Field Directors, who are responsible for the overall functioning of human services in each region of the state.
Dale stated that, This is a very exciting time to be associated with human services in Vermont. The reorganization of AHS has created unprecedented opportunities to improve the way we deliver services to Vermonters. I look forward to continuing to work with our staff, our community partners, and those we serve to improve our responsiveness and effectiveness.
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