Snyder: Corrigan's career focused on helping most-vulnerable residents

Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Maura Corrigan is retiring after a career of public service that focused on helping children, families and the most-vulnerable Michiganders, Gov. Rick Snyder said. Snyder also announced that Corrigan's role will be filled on an interim basis by Nick Lyon, who will continue serving in his role as director of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). "Director Corrigan has been a fierce advocate for Michiganders in need, especially children," Snyder said. "Under her direction, the department has made tremendous strides, most notably in child welfare, foster care and adoption. Her work has helped DHS get the youngest Michiganders off to a better start and assist families through their toughest times." Corrigan has a long and distinguished career in public service, including serving as a member of the Michigan Supreme Court for 11 years, with four as chief justice. Snyder tapped her to head DHS in 2011. Her work with the department included launching the Pathways to Potential program, which brought needed social service caseworkers to schools, making it easier for students and their families to get access to the programs they need and removing barriers to learning. She is also credited with improving Michigan's child welfare system and removing obstacles that prevent adults from finding jobs and working toward independence. Snyder said that Lyon brings a wealth of community health policy, budget expertise and department operations knowledge to his interim role overseeing the two departments. He has been serving as the governor's People Group head and MDCH director since September, when he succeeded Jim Haveman. "Director Lyon is passionate about helping Michiganders and already has demonstrated tremendous leadership at running a large agency focused on the health and wellbeing of our residents," Snyder said. "As our People Group executive lead, he's well equipped to ensure continued progress as well as stability as we find the best ways to provide health and human services to Michiganders." During his tenure at MDCH, Lyon has been involved in a number of key initiatives, including the successful implementation and management of the Medicaid Healthy Michigan Plan, which has helped more than 500,000 lower income Michiganders gain access to primary and preventive health care, surpassing the plan's total enrollment goal. Before joining MDCH and serving in multiple leadership roles, Lyon served as director of the Office of Budget Development and General Government within the State Budget Office and as finance officer for the Department of Attorney General. He holds a bachelor's degree from Yale University in economics and political science. Published: Thu, Jan 01, 2015