Art Kleinschmidt, the official serving as the de facto head of the federal agency overseeing mental health and addiction treatment, is leaving his post on Friday, according to an email reviewed by STAT.
Kleinschmidt has led the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration since early April, presiding over the agency as it underwent dramatic cuts to its staff and programming.
Despite taking power nearly 10 months ago, the Trump administration has not moved to nominate a SAMHSA administrator, leaving Kleinschmidt as the agency’s top man despite his title as principal deputy assistant.
