Haynes is New Health and Family Secretary

Gov. Steve Beshear has named Audrey Tayse Haynes of Adair County as the new Secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The cabinet is responsible for overseeing Medicaid and social services, including child welfare programs. Haynes will begin on April 16th.

Haynes will replace Eric Freidlander who was serving as the interim secretary after Janie Miller resigned last month. The cabinet is responsible for overseeing Medicaid and social services, including child welfare programs.

Haynes is from Adair County and earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky. She has previous experience in the community mental health system as an alcohol and drug counselor.

Haynes previously served 10 years as the senior vice president and chief government affairs officer of YMCA of the USA.   She also worked in the Clinton Administration as director of the White House Office of Women's Initiatives and Outreach. 

Haynes will begin on April 16.