INDIANA—Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff Kim Opsahl announced that she will depart next month after six years of service from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.
“Working in support of FSSA and our incredible team has been the highlight of my career. I am both humbled by and immensely proud of our team’s work to support their fellow Hoosiers to access the support they need to live, work, and be a part of their communities,” Opsahl said. “I am particularly grateful for former Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services Director Kylee Hope providing me the initial opportunity to join FSSA and Secretary Rusyniak for the honor of working alongside him to support the agency and our shared mission.”
“Today’s announcement is bittersweet – while I will miss our team and our work, I am fortunate that my next role will provide me with similar opportunities to support state agencies that support people with disabilities across the country.”
Opsahl came to FSSA in 2018 as associate director of the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, then became director in 2021. She was named chief of staff and deputy secretary in 2022. In her role, she partnered with Secretary Rusyniak to support FSSA’s eight care divisions in their efforts to provide members with access to the services and supports they need, while advancing strategic initiatives related to long-term services and supports, mental health, and child care. Her work at FSSA has been empowered by her profound experience supporting Hoosiers with disabilities, which began with her first job as a direct service professional.
Opsahl said she is most proud of the opportunity to contribute to DDRS’ pandemic response—including coordinating vaccine access for thousands of individuals with disabilities who resided in congregate residential settings—and the work that she and Dr. Rusyniak have done to promote an agency-wide culture that values collaboration and centers the work on people.
“It is nearly impossible to capture in words the profound impact Kim has had on this agency, its staff, and the countless individuals we serve,” Rusyniak said. “Her unwavering dedication, selflessness, and passion have left an indelible mark, and we are deeply grateful for the many years she has devoted to making a difference.”
Opsahl is leaving to serve as the new chief operating officer at the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. The organization promotes visionary leadership, systems innovation, and the development of national policies that support home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families. FSSA’s DDRS is one of the state members that is supported by NASDDDS.
Opsahl’s last day is Oct. 11. A new deputy secretary is not being named at this time.
