Governor Brown Hires Jeremy Vandehey as Health Policy Advisor
Adrian Smith named Childhood Dependency Task Force Administrator
Governor Kate Brown today named Jeremy Vandehey as her health policy advisor.
“Jeremy has a strong track record of collaboration with diverse health care stakeholders," Governor Brown said. "He will play a lead role in my pursuit of policy that ensures all Oregonians have access to high quality, affordable health care."
Vandehey comes to the Governor’s Office from Kaiser Permanente – Northwest Region where he served as Government Relations Manager overseeing state and local government relations programs in Oregon and Washington. He previously served as director of legislative and government affairs at the Oregon Health Authority and has worked as an attorney and public defender. He begins his position on Oct. 12.
Additionally, Governor Brown today named Adrian Smith as her Childhood Dependency Task Force Administrator. The role was created under Senate Bill 222, which established a task force to develop recommendations for a model of representation in juvenile dependency cases. The administrator position will be staffed in the Governor’s Office.
Smith is the staff attorney for Government Affairs at the National Indian Child Welfare Association based in Portland. She is responsible for analyzing and responding to national legislative and administrative child welfare and children’s mental health policies that impact Native children, families, and communities. Smith also provides leadership in the agency’s coalition work and advocacy strategy. Her previous experience includes work as a juvenile probation officer and as a social worker at a child welfare legal clinic. Smith starts on Oct. 1.
