California has appointed Will Lightbourne to lead the state's Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.
Previous director Toby Ewing resigned amid allegations he accepted travel paid by a state vendor.
Mr. Lightbourne was named interim executive director for the commission. He told California Healthline he is focused on keeping the commission as transparent as possible while a search for the next permanent director takes place.
Mr. Lightbourne led California's Department of Social Services for seven years. He retired in 2018. In 2020, Mr. Lightbourne came out of retirement to serve as interim director of the state's Department of Health Care Services at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
California's Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission oversees the implementation of mental health funding in the state.
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