Smith elected to lead state panel
By Staff Reports
Published in News on March 11, 2012 1:50 AM
Wayne County Manager Lee Smith has been elected chairman of the state Department of Health and Human Services Waiver Advisory Committee.
The committee works in aiding development of performance and outcome measurements of the new local management entities and of managed care organization members.
The 20-member committee is comprised of mental health providers, medical personnel, agency staff who work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse challenges, local management entities (LMEs) and managed care organization (MCO) members.
"I'm excited about participating on a committee that will be the catalyst to a better Mental Health provider system to our clients in North Carolina," Smith said. "The major directive is to set measurable actions ensuring proper patient care at an affordable cost."
The committee is responsible for reviewing quarterly and annual report summaries of LME-MCO performance; providing consultation around local and statewide system goals; reviewing outcome measures and trending data; and will assist with problem identification and resolution.
"Mr. Smith is a perfect fit for this position," said Wayne County Commissioner Chairman John Bell. "He was instrumental in pulling the Eastpointe organization together and has expanded it from four counties to 12 counties."
Bell said that Smith's outstanding job as Wayne County's manager and as chair of Eastpointe has gained him recognition and respect throughout the state.
"He's known to be well-organized, likable, fiscally conservative, while having the ability to get things done," Bell said.
Smith has been the Wayne County manager for the past 10 years.