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Press Release: May 27, 2009 222 South Warren Street
Kenneth W. Ritchey Named President of National Association of State Developmental Disabilities Directors
TRENTON Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jennifer Velez today announced that DHS Assistant Commissioner Kenneth W. Ritchey, who oversees the department's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), has assumed the role of President of the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS). The national association's members are each of the state directors of services for people with developmental disabilities. “The knowledge and experience that Ken Ritchey demonstrates here in New Jersey , will be a welcome asset to this prestigious national organization,” said Commissioner Velez. “Ken continues to work to expand the available options in services that meet the needs of consumers and families, while expanding our ability to utilize federal funding opportunities.” Ritchey joined DHS on March 7, 2007. As the Assistant Commissioner, he oversees DDD, which operates seven residential developmental centers and contracts for a variety of community services. In October 2008, DDD was successful in gaining federal approval of New Jersey 's expanded Home and Community Based Services Waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These changes allow DDD to receive matching funds for many community-based services that previously were funded only with state dollars. Just prior to moving to New Jersey , Ritchey served for eight years as the director of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD). As Ohio 's Director, Ritchey was responsible for the oversight of 88 County Boards of MR/DD and the operation of ten residential developmental centers. DHS Assistant Commissioner Ritchey received his Bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University , Pennsylvania and his Master's degree from the Curry School of Education, University of Virginia . He has a second Master's in Education Administration from the University of Dayton and participated in the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government sponsored by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University .
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