Hi Dee Hi!

I have wonderful NEWS to share with all of you about our BRI Board Member, Kate O'Day!  The citizens and children of Tennessee have another True Advocate working for them.  It was announced today that Kate will be appointed the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services!

Congratulations to all who will be under Kate's care!  Kate will need our prayers and support as she takes on this daunting, yet "manageable for her" job. The new Governor-elect, Bill Haslam has made a smart, strategic choice that will bring great value to the lives of Tennessee children, families and  communities.

Here's to you, Kate!

Posted in today's (12-16-2010) Tennessean:

Kathryn O'Day, the head of an East Tennessee family services organization, will be appointed the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, Gov.-elect Bill Haslam said Thursday.

O'Day, the president and chief executive of Knoxville-based Child & Family Tennessee, will take over from Viola Miller, who has been praised for improving accountability and raising standards within the department. The Department of Children's Services was one of only seven state child-welfare agencies nationwide to receive certification this year from the Council on Accreditation, a nonprofit that reviews health service organizations.

"Kate is the person to build on the department's recent successes," Haslam said. "We as a state have an important responsibility to these children, and I'm grateful that Kate, who has staked her career on making children's lives better, would join our team and serve."

Proud to know her,

Mary Jo Monahan,  BRI President