City Names Interim DCAO for Human Services

The City’s Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall announced today that Stephen W. Harms has been appointed as the Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, effective Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones said, “I’m very pleased that Mr. Harms is joining this administration. He brings great knowledge and a calming influence to a very important area of our city government.”

Harms who is currently retired, most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Tim Kaine. Prior to this position, he served as the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor Kaine. He also served as the Deputy Secretary of Finance and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor Warner, and was responsible for advising the Governor and Cabinet Secretaries. Harms also served as a Legislative Fiscal Analyst on the staff of the Senate Finance Committee, and as a Legislative Analyst for the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University.

As the Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, Harms will be responsible for the oversight of the Department of Social Services, Human Services, Libraries and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. He will serve as the City’s liaison to Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and Richmond City Health District. His immediate focus is coordinating the reviews of the City of Richmond’s Child Welfare Practices by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Child Welfare League of America.

Harms will serve in the interim position until a permanent Deputy Chief Administrative Officer is appointed. The recruitment process will begin on January 2, 2013.