Leader Who Convened with Barnes on the Day of Dr. Medlock’s Ouster Interviewing for BHA Commissioner Role
The BHA Interim Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner team is now led entirely by white women, and soon, this all-white arrangement could become permanent. In a previous JFM drop, JFM forecasted that the announcement of new BHA leadership will usher in a harsh snap back to the status quo, as these leaders will most likely be white-identifying, privileged in their professional backgrounds, and somehow connected through previous work or friendship with Barnes, or one of the other villains of this story.
The revolving door in Colorado politics continues to swing open for privileged insiders and shut on anyone dreaming of transformational change for the people of Colorado, like Dr. Medlock. The collective was seemingly correct in our forecasting with the new addition of Erin Wester as the BHA’s Deputy Commissioner of Systems and Programs.
The Revolving Door Revolves
JFM capital sources report that Cristen Bates, a former Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) leader who now works for the state’s Medicaid agency, is interviewing for the BHA Commissioner job. The BHA Commissioner job posting has been missing from the state government jobs portal for months, yet interviews are still occurring. The BHA Commissioner position remains vacant even though the collective is aware that at least one BIPOC candidate was offered the role only to turn it down. This candidate was a part of the national behavioral health network that Dr. Medlock is also a part of and respected within.
The JFM network also reports that on the day Dr. Medlock was presented with a dismissal letter signed by her peer Michelle Barnes, Cristen Bates (Deputy Medicaid Director at HCPF) was in communication with both Barnes and Summer Gathercole discussing BHA activities. Bates was emailing with Barnes about employees who had left the BHA including false narratives for their departures. In addition, Bates describes the leader who participated in the incident covered by JFM where the n-word was used by a stakeholder during lunch as someone who was strong and left with no job secured.
Anti-Blackness and Erasure at the BHA
The collective wonders what will happen to the BHA’s Interim Deputy Commissioners whom Barnes appointed from within BHA’s leadership team so they also serve as BHA Division Directors. Sources report that these leaders applied for these permanent roles and were denied, which aligns with the troubling trend of Barnes delivering punitive consequences for anyone who worked alongside or is associated with Dr. Medlock. The denial of permanent roles to the BHA's Interim Deputy Commissioners appointed by Barnes from within the leadership team perpetuates a problematic narrative. By refusing these individuals elevation to permanent roles, Barnes is not only thwarting potential leaders from within the organization but is also disregarding the merits and qualifications of these individuals. From JFM’s perspective, anti-Blackness runs deep at the BHA, so deep that Barnes feels the need to erase any connection point to Dr. Medlock’s impact and presence.
Let JFM Break it Down for You
The denial of permanent roles to individuals who had served in interim capacities is more than a missed opportunity; it reflects a concerning trend of punitive consequences directed toward those associated with Dr. Medlock. This behavior not only obstructs the growth of the organization but also highlights the deep-rooted issues of erasure and anti-Blackness within the BHA's leadership dynamics.
Furthermore, recent revelations concerning Cristen Bates' involvement raise questions about ethical standards and transparency in leadership interactions. The communication regarding BHA activities, coupled with the manipulation of narratives surrounding departed employees, adds another layer of concern regarding the integrity of decision-makers and the trustworthiness of their actions.
The door that swings open for privileged insiders while shutting out BIPOC advocates for change, exemplified by JFM’s reporting, stands as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in rectifying systemic biases.
The continued vacancies and maneuvers within leadership roles underscore the necessity for accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to inclusivity within the BHA. Ultimately, this environment of erasure and punitive actions demands a thorough reevaluation of leadership values, ethics, and the urgent need for genuine inclusion and equity within the BHA's corridors of power.
