At ADHS, the Governor has named January Contreras to the job of Acting Director. Contreras replaces Susan Gerard, who has resigned. Since 2006, Contreras has been the Governor’s policy adviser for health-related issues, overseeing work at DHS and at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Contreras was a Deputy Director at AHCCCS, handling intergovernmental relations with the state legislature, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, tribal governments, and state agencies on issues of importance regarding health care. During her time at AHCCCS, Contreras spent a year as the agency’s Chief Legislative Liaison.

Contreras was an Assistant Attorney General for Arizona, focusing on criminal cases related to AHCCCS fraud and other financial crimes. She previously also worked as a prosecutor for Maricopa County, where she handled drug, robbery, theft and other criminal cases.  Contreras is an attorney who graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1996, having also earned her Bachelor’s degree at the U of A.

As part of her work for the Governor, Contreras serves as a member of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, and on the Arizona Health-e Connection and Arizona Workforce Data Center leadership committees. “Health care in the United States, and in Arizona, is a stunningly complex policy area. January has complete command of those issues and brings tremendous practical experience in dealing with them on a daily basis,” said Governor Napolitano. “That, combined with her experience here at the State Capitol, makes her perfectly positioned to lead DHS.”