Louisville’s Johnson named Commissioner of KY Department for Community Based Services

Gov. Matt Bevin and Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson today announced the appointment of Adria Johnson Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS).

“Adria is a dedicated, well-respected and versatile professional with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in both the public and private sectors,” Gov. Bevin said. “Her strong desire to serve, coupled with her proven ability to lead and coordinate efforts toward reform will be assets as she works to deliver high quality services to citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Johnson joined the Cabinet in December 2012 as DCBS deputy commissioner. For almost three years, she has led several efforts aimed at bringing about needed reform to improve the lives of some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens.

“It is an honor to continue to serve the vulnerable children, adults and families of the Commonwealth as Commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services,” Johnson said. “I thank Governor Bevin and Secretary Glisson for this opportunity to serve and to make a difference in the safety, stability and well-being of the citizens who depend on this agency every day.”

DCBS is the Cabinet’s largest agency and provides family support; child care; child and adult protection; eligibility determinations for Medicaid and food benefits. The agency also administers the state foster care and adoption systems, including the recruitment and training of parents to care for the state’s children who are waiting for a permanent home.

“Adria’s background makes her the ideal candidate to lead the state’s complex social services system,” Glisson said. “She will be an integral part of this Cabinet’s service delivery to at-risk families. With Adria’s guidance, we can explore new avenues and partnerships to find different ways to solve the persistent problems that keep families from moving toward self-sufficiency and safety.”

Johnson’s professional experience includes positions in both government and corporate finance. Before joining CHFS, Johnson held key roles in Louisville Metro Government, ranging from Capital Planning Analyst in the Office of Management and Budget, to Acting Director of the Department of Community Services and Revitalization. Johnson experience also includes various private sector roles at Humana, LG&E, and Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp.

A Louisville native and resident, Johnson received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Ball State University and completed several postgraduate courses from the University of Louisville. Johnson is also a published author. Her book of poetry, A Peek at My Soul, was published in 2004.

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services