Office of Chief Counsel
The Office of Chief Counsel consists of six sections which provide extensive legal, investigative and hearing services to the Department.
The Office of Public Guardian unit is responsible for the care of incapacitated individuals who have become wards through an application process as mandated by statute. Applications may be presented to this office by any concerned citizen but most applications are submitted by medical professionals, long term care providers, other DHS units and family members. If the Office approves the application, the Office will petition a court for guardianship of the ward and, if appointed, may serve the guardian of the person, the estate, or both.
The Office of Appeals and Hearings conducts administrative hearings and makes the final agency decisions for the Department regarding appealed actions. A request for an administrative hearing may concern Medicaid, Maltreatment, SNAP, or a number of other agency programs.
The Appellate Section provides statewide legal representation to the Department of Human Services in the areas of child welfare and adult protective services.
Also provides legal assistance and representation on administrative matters, litigation pertaining to delivery of services, program administration,and overpayment collections.
The Office of Employee Relations/Office of Equal Opportunity processes employee grievances, mediations, administrative review hearings, and State Employee Grievance Appeal Panel (SEGAP) hearings. This office provides technical assistance to employees regarding work related concerns. This office also ensures compliance with federal and state civil rights/anti-discrimination laws, regulations, methods of administration, executive orders, etc., and investigates client complaints of discrimination and rude/discourteous treatment.
The Regulatory Section provides legal assistance and representation on contracts, privacy section matters, employment law, personnel, civil rights and rules promulgation issues for the agency.
The Privacy Section ensures the Agency's compliance with HIPAA and privacy laws. It is also responsible for handling subpoenas, record requests, authorizations for information, and compliance with court orders.
Contact Information
Office | Address | Phone | |
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Regulatory Section | P.O. Box 1437 - Slot S260 |
Ph 501-682-1363 Fax: 501-682-8009 |
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Appeals and Hearings | P.O. Box 1437 - Slot N401 |
501-682-8622
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Employee Relation & Equal Opportunity | P.O. Box 1437 - Slot N250 |
501-682-6003 |
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Privacy Section | P.O. Box 1437 - Slot S2 60 |
501-320-6475 Fax: 501-683-4829 |
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Appellate Section | P.O. Box 1437 - Slot S260 |
501-320-6378 |
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Office of Public Guardian | P.O. Box 1437 - Slot W105 |
888-397-2430 Fax: 501-682-1483 |
Staff
Name | Title | Phone | |
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David Sterling | Chief Counsel | 501-320-6355, |
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Sarah Linam | Chief Deputy Counsel - Regulatory | 501-682-1363, |
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Rich Rosen | Chief Deputy Counsel - Appellate | 501-320-6334, |
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Anna Imbeau | Managing Attorney, County Legal Operations | 501-320-3935, |
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Ashley Vailes, Interim | Managing Administrative Law Judge, Appeals and Hearings | 501-320-6220, |
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Reginald Cleaver | Office of Employee Relations | 501-682-7952, |
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Kitten Dixon | Office Manager, Office of Chief Counsel | 501-320-6378, |
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Hudson Vanderhoff | DHS Privacy Officer | 501-320-6560 |
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Carolyn Singleton | Public Guardian for Adults | 888-397-2430, |