THE Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse will present to Adelup today the draft transition plan that will guide the government of Guam through the reinstatement of local control over the agency once the federal receivership is lifted on Dec. 3.
In her Aug. 22 decision, federal court Judge Consuelo Marshal ordered that federal manager James Kiffer "remain in place with the same duties and powers for a limited transitional period.”
“A lot of people have a mistaken notion that when Dr. Kiffer leaves on Dec. 3, all work is done. I feel that work is just starting,” DMHSA Director Wilfred Aflague said in an interview with Variety.
The transition team within the department includes former Guam Memorial Hospital Administrator Rey Vega, who has been appointed deputy director of DMHSA.
“Rey Vega is going to assist me in every aspect, such as the operation and management of the agency. He just started so I am giving him time to get acclimated to the issues at hand,” Aflague said.
When GMH hired Joseph Verga to take the helm of the hospital, Vega held the post of associate administrator of operations until Sept. 7. He immediately started at DMHSA last Monday.
“I am still going over the scope of my role and mandates,” Vega said. “Whatever specific tasks I have to do, our goal is to have a smooth transition from the federal receiver. We are preparing for the turnover.”
Aflague said one of the main components of the transition plan involves a staffing boost for mental health professionals such as psychologists, counselors and social workers.
“We have started the recruitment for such positions and some of the names have been submitted to the [Bureau of Budget Management and Research],” he said.
Aflague refused to elaborate. “I would prefer to present the plan to the governor [today] first to give him that courtesy and then it will be made public by his office.”
While expressing confidence the local government is ready to take over, Aflague acknowledged “the challenges will always be there.”
“The population that we serve requires a concerted effort in working as a team,” Aflague said. “We are setting up an interdisciplinary treatment team so that each and every consumer and client gets the benefit of a well-rounded clinical team.”
The court said “the most efficient way to return duties and powers to the director of DMHSA is to allow the present [federal management team] to complete its ongoing work during the limited transitional period.”
Aflague said Kiffer has been working with him and the agency’s staff since last year “to effectuate this transition.”
He said the transition plan he will present to Gov. Eddie Calvo today is basically a draft outline that “will be filled out and given more body as time goes by.”
