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After 40 Years in Michigan's DHS, Jim Nye Retires; Elevated Youth Voices
Jim Nye
After nearly 40 years at Michigan's Department of Human Services, Jim Nye is retiring. He has spent the past 11 years as director of field operations where he has worked closely with the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI), building a relationship between the state agency and the nonprofit. In his DHS post, Nye made MYOI a top priority. "He saw the Jim Casey work as an important initiative because he sees the benefits of supporting youth whom we take into our care," said Susan Kelly, senior director of strategic consulting at Casey Family Programs.
Over the years, Nye saw many changes in Michigan's child welfare system, but one that stands out most is the department becoming more involved in working with youth aging out of foster care. "It makes no sense to think that at 18 something is going to snap and everything is okay and that a kid has all the resources he needs," said Nye. "That doesn't happen in any family situation, let alone foster care." Nye pushed for mentoring programs and was involved in setting up a state Medicaid plan that provides automatic coverage for youth aging out until they are 21. In Northern Michigan, educational planners also were established to help provide youth in foster care with opportunities. Nye also is proud of the creation of student internships within the agency with youth making recommendations and advising on policy and youth transition issues. "Jim Nye is a quiet leader," said Dan Cowan, MYOI's family-to-family manager. "He is the one who recognized right away that youth had a voice."
In the past decade, Nye pushed to give youth the opportunity to speak in front of legislators because he believes their voices are most effective. Nye organized travel arrangements and helped the youth work on their presentations for the governor.
Nye said the best part of his job has been hearing that he made a significant difference in someone's life. But he's also made a profound difference in Michigan's child welfare system. "Jim has affected operations in the DHS like few other people have. He is a bridge-maker of transitions," said Kelly. In his retirement, Nye plans to continue to spend time with youth, particularly at his grandson's sporting events.
