Haslam appoints O’Day to head children’s services

Republican Gov.-elect Bill Haslam has named Kathryn O’Day, the president and CEO of Knoxville-based Child and Family Tennessee, as his commissioner of children’s services.
Haslam said he expects O’Day to “build on the department’s recent successes.’’
The department has operated under a federal consent decree negotiated with advocacy group Children’s Rights Inc. since settling a 2000 lawsuit over foster care known as Brian A. vs. Bredesen. State officials expressed hope last month that the lawsuit could soon come to an end.
O’Day will take over for Viola Miller, whom Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen appointed DCS commissioner in late 2003 to jump start the state’s sluggish progress toward meeting the goals set out in the federal court settlement.