Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced today, Dec. 17, an organizational review of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, led by Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin.
Hutchinson has asked Griffin to assess the organizational structure of DHS and look at any duplicative services. It will also include identifying ways to achieve greater efficiencies and areas needing to be strengthened if they currently lack sufficient resources.
“As we continue the search for the next director of DHS, it’s important we take a look at the organizational structure to achieve any new possible efficiencies,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “I have asked the lieutenant governor to lead this effort, because I know he will conduct a substantive review of the department at this critical time and will do so with integrity and the due diligence needed.”
The review is expected to be completed by March 1, 2016, as the new DHS director takes over.
The project does not include a review of the IT structure or contracts. Those areas will be reviewed separately by the governor’s office and the legislature.