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FSSA Names New Leadership Team for the Division of Mental Health and Addiction

Jay Chaudhary, J.D.	Rachel Halleck

On August 14, 2019, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced that Zionsville resident Jay Chaudhary, J.D., will serve as the next director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction. Chaudhary (pronounced CHAW-dree) begins in his new role on September 9. He replaces Kevin Moore, who retired in April after 35 years of state service. FSSA also announced Rachel Halleck will serve as DMHA deputy director and the division’s chief of staff.

"We are excited to welcome Jay and Rachel to continue the build on the momentum of DMHA in serving Hoosiers in a more comprehensive and evidence-based manner," said FSSA Secretary Jennifer Walthall, M.D., M.P.H. "Jay is a committed patient advocate and expert on innovative system design in mental health and addiction. His willingness to serve as DMHA director couldn't have come at a better time as Indiana focuses on integrated care and improved health outcomes."

Chaudhary is currently the managing attorney for Indiana Legal Services where he's served in several key positions including Midtown Medical Legal Partnership's founding director. In his current role, Chaudhary focuses on improving health outcomes by addressing the individual and systemic legal needs of Hoosiers with mental health and substance use disorder. He is a graduate of Ball State University and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Halleck, who lives in Indianapolis, is a licensed mental health counselor and a licensed addiction counselor who most recently served as the senior director of behavioral health strategy and innovation for Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana. She completed her undergraduate education at Hanover College where she was the Distinguished Psychology Student of the Year. Halleck earned a master's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Indianapolis.

"After a comprehensive and competitive national search, we couldn't be more pleased that we found such a dynamic leadership duo right in our own backyard," added Secretary Walthall. "Jay and Rachel both possess the invaluable combination of great talent and the desire to serve others. I have no doubt they will deliver on Governor Holcomb's direction to attack the drug epidemic through prevention, treatment and enforcement."