FRANKFORT—Kentucky’s adoption and foster care czar, Dan Dumas, has stepped down from his Gov. Matt Bevin-appointed post, the Courier Journal reported Jan. 16. Dumas, who before this appointment was a vice-president at Southern Seminary and is an elder at Crossing Church of Louisville, has not released a statement regarding the staffing change, although it came seven months into the year-long contract.
Dan Dumas
A Cabinet for Health and Family Services confirmed to Courier Journal that Dumas’ state contract was terminated, and a spokesman for Gov. Bevin told Kentucky Today, “At this time, the administration has decided to move in a different direction as we continue progress on this vitally important issue.”
In a written statement to Kentucky Today, Bevin’s press secretary said, “Gov. Bevin is appreciative of the work Dan Dumas did to advance improvements in Kentucky’s adoption and foster care system.”
Dumas, a father of two adopted sons, a Navy veteran and a published author, in a July interview with Western Recorder, expressed that he saw his new appointment as a “calling.” He continued, “I’m willing to put it all on the line for Kentucky’s kids and do whatever it takes to serve these kids, and do whatever it takes to get them in good foster homes.”
At the beginning of his contract, he said his “method” for reforming the system would be a “blitzkrieg” model focusing on multiple things at once. He, along with the Department of Child Protective Services, the cabinet, and Gov. Bevin, would strive to “T-bone” the system.
Explaining the value of Dumas in this position, Gov. Bevin added via Facebook Live comments in May, “He will work with me to make this the ‘gold standard’ for America.” No further information has been released on Gov. Bevin’s plans to fill this vacancy. (WR)