Ventura County’s behavioral health director has been placed on administrative leave with an unknown date for his return, officials announced this week.
County officials did not disclose the reason for Administrator Scott Gilman’s paid leave, calling it a confidential personnel matter. Deputy Director Loretta Denering has been named acting director of the Department of Behavioral Health, which provides drug and mental health treatment to community members.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors appointed Gilman to the position more than a year ago, with support from County Executive Sevette Johnson, who previously held the top-level position. Board Chairman Matt Lover said Gilman’s decision to take a leave of absence was not initiated by the board and he did not know when the investigation into Gilman would be completed. He will continue to serve as director, LaVere said.
Gilman reports to Health Authority Secretary Barry Zimmerman, who declined to comment. It was not immediately clear who placed Mr. Gilman on leave, but Mr. Lover said it was a senior official.
At the time of Gilman’s appointment, the agency, which treats people with severe mental illness, employed more than 800 people and had a budget of $254 million.
Mr. Gilman earns total compensation, including salary and benefits, of $273,056 annually. No comments were received.
Before arriving at the county, Gilman had more than 30 years of experience in the medical field, from working in the field with patients to serving as CEO of a regional health center in Michigan. A former San Mateo County administrator, he was appointed to lead the Ventura County department after a nationwide search.
Johnson said at the time that what made him stand out was his leadership experience at Michigan State. He said states in the Midwest are already moving in the direction California is headed in terms of integrating mental health and substance use services.
This week, Sean Attin, the county’s human resources director, confirmed that Gilman had been on leave since Aug. 29. Atin declined further comment.
The Star asked the county’s chief legal adviser for public records to shed light on the lawsuit. County Attorney Tiffany North denied a request for written notice sent to Gilman under the privacy exemption and other potential exclusions in the state’s public records law.
On Monday, Mary Hafner, an attorney and mental health advocate, addressed Gilman’s absence at a meeting of the county’s Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
“I’m concerned that there is a tendency in this department to exclude free thinkers, people who try to make change or people who are critical of the system,” Hafner said.
The system can’t grow unless people are able to criticize what’s going on and move the dial, she says.
Kathleen Wilson covers courts, crime and local government issues for the Ventura County Star.please contact her girlfriend [email protected] or call 805-437-0271. Cheri Carlson covers environment and county government for the Ventura County Star.please contact her [email protected] or call 805-437-0260.
