KDADS Secretary Laura Howard joined the agency January 14, 2019. Secretary Howard has spent more than 15 years of her career working in human services at the state and federal level. Howard said the secretary position drew her in due to the opportunity to make a real impact for the most vulnerable Kansans. She also said she was particularly drawn to the opportunity to be a part of informing and implementing policies to strengthen all Kansas families.
During the span of her career, Howard served in various roles at the then Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) from 1997 to 2011, including as Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary for Health Care Policy and Deputy Secretary for Operations. After leaving state service in 2011, she served for three years as the Region VII Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Regional Administrator within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For the last four years, she has led the KU Public Management Center. In that role, Howard had the opportunity to interact with KDADS staff through the Center’s Emerging Leaders and Certified Public Management® programs.
Andrew Brown is the Deputy Secretary of Programs with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). This position provides executive oversight of the overall program services function of three commissions for the agency: Long Term Services and Supports, Behavioral Health Services, and the new Aging Commission. Brown will work across these commissions to provide leadership on program matters.
Brown has nearly 30 years of experience in human services program management and public service. Prior to joining KDADS, Brown worked at Headquarters, Inc. in Lawrence, Kan., where he served as executive director and worked on statewide suicide prevention efforts. Brown earned a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Human Services degree and Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Washburn University in 2010 and a Master of Social Work, Concentration in Administration, Advocacy and Policy, from the University of Kansas in 2012. He was recently recognized with the 2023 Hope Humanitarian Award from Valeo Behavioral Health and the 2022 Wes Cole Public Servant of the Year Award from the Association of CMHCs of Kansas.
Scott Brunner is the Deputy Secretary of Hospitals and Facilities with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). This position provides executive oversight of the four state hospitals and the KDADS staff conducting surveys and certification reviews for 726 long term care facilities and health occupations including administrators and certified nurse aides.
Brunner's professional expertise includes Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs, public finance, and government accounting.