The Direct Care and Treatment Executive Board was established by the Legislature to oversee the state-operated behavioral health care system. The nine-member board consists of seven voting members appointed by the Governor and two non-voting members, one appointed by the Association of Minnesota Counties and one appointed by labor unions that represent DCT employees.
In order to be considered for appointment to the board, members must meet certain professional background requirements set out in state law. They must:
Be a psychiatrist or other physician experienced in behavioral health
Be a health care professional
Have experience on a hospital or nonprofit board
Have a background in behavioral health services, care coordination, health care administration or residential services
Have experience in traditional healing
Duties of the Executive Board
The Executive Board delegates responsibility for day-to-day operation of the behavioral health care system to a Chief Executive Officer. The board is broadly responsible for:
Approving the system's strategic direction and monitoring performance
Approving the system's mission, vision and strategic plan
Overseeing the care and management of all patients and clients
Ensuring clinical quality, patient safety and customer service excellence
Ensuring sound financial management
Overseeing contracts
Building strong and appropriate stakeholder relationships
Ensuring the quality of medical staff
Updating the Legislature on operations, goals and accomplishments
Appointing the Chief Executive Officer
Conditions and Restrictions
Voting members may not be current DCT or county employees, members of the state Legislature or staff or members of labor unions representing DCT.
One voting member must come from Greater Minnesota.
By statute, the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services is a voting member of the board.
Dr. Paul Goering
Seat: Member with Experience Serving on a Hospital or Nonprofit Board
Term: January 1, 2025 – January 3, 2028
Fellow at the Leadership Institute of Healthcare
Carol Olson
Seat: Member with Experience in the Delivery of Behavioral Health Services
Term: January 1, 2025 – January 1, 2029
Former Executive Director of DCT Forensic Services
Dr. Prachi Striker
Seat: Licensed Physician who is a Psychiatrist or has Experience in Serving Behavioral Health Patients
Term: January 1, 2025 – January 4, 2027
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Children's Minnesota
Mary Maertens
Seat: Member with Experience Serving on a Hospital or Nonprofit Board
Term: January 1, 2025 – January 3, 2028
President of M4Resources, LLC.
Chelsea Rivers
Member with Experience in the Delivery of Behavioral Health Services or Care Coordination or in Traditional Healing Practices
Term: January 1, 2025 – January 1, 2029
Social Work Associate at the Department of Veteran Affairs
Jodi Harpstead
Seat: Commissioner of Human Services, or designee
Commissioner of the Department of Human Services
Vacant
One voting member has yet to be appointed
Non-Voting Members
Lynn Butcher
Seat: Member who has an Active Role as a Union Representative Representing Staff at Direct Care and Treatment
DCT Quality Officer
Laurie Halverson
Seat: Member Appointed by the Association of Counties
Dakota County Commissioner
