WILMINGTON - On January 31, 2025, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer designated Joanna Champney, a highly respected leader on the issues of substance abuse and mental health, as the Co-Chair of the Prescription Opioid Settlement Commission.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across Delaware, and we must ensure that the resources are used effectively to support recovery and prevention,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Joanna has dedicated her career to addressing substance use disorders and mental health challenges, and I am confident she will provide the leadership necessary to guide the Prescription Opioid Settlement Commission with integrity and focus.”

Champney has been a dedicated public servant for many years, working in various nonprofit organization leadership and government roles and currently serving as Division Director of Substance Abuse and Mental Health at the Department of Health and Social Services, where she has played an instrumental part in enhancing access to behavioral health care, advancing community-based recovery programs, and supporting efforts to combat the opioid crisis across Delaware. In her new role as co-chair of the commission, Champney will work closely with the commission members and community stakeholders to ensure adequate resources are allocated to combat the opioid epidemic.

“As I have said before, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor is focused on finding smart and lasting solutions that reflect best practices and the input of those most affected. That is why Governor Matt Meyer’s appointment of Joanna Champney to serve as the Co-Chair is something we can all celebrate. Division Director Champney and DSAMH staff work on a daily basis to best support Delawareans impacted by substance use,” said Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay. “With her leadership and their expert support, the POSDC will build on the progress they have already made to expand treatment, recovery, and prevention services throughout Delaware. As the POSDC makes this transition, our office will continue to lead, partner, and develop innovative solutions with the Behavioral Health Consortium.”

In addition to this new appointment, the Commission, which was previously within the Behavioral Health Consortium, will now be housed and staffed by DSAMH, whose daily work tackles this issue.

“I’ve gotten to know Joanna and her work over the years and have consistently been impressed by her professionalism, intellect, and ability,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “Joanna has proven herself both a subject matter expert on mental and behavioral health and as a director for extremely complex and sensitive projects, which positions her to provide the Commission with the leadership and strategic guidance that we need as we decide how to responsibly maximize the impact of these one-time funds. I applaud Gov. Meyer for recognizing and elevating her expertise. My staff and I look forward to working with her.”

Biography
Joanna Champney, Designee, Co-Chair of the Prescription Opioid Settlement Commission

Joanna Champney currently serves as a commission member on the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission and is active on the Governance Committee of the Commission. Champney has been the Division Director of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS, following her appointment in 2021. At DSAMH, Champney oversees the state-funded continuum of care for substance use disorder treatment and services for people with serious mental health needs, as well as the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Champney’s Division manages numerous federal grants, including the $38 Million State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. Prior to joining DSAMH, Champney served as Chief of Planning, Research & Reentry at the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC). During her tenure at DOC, Champney established and led the Department’s Office of Reentry following Governor Carney’s issuance of Executive Order 27 to improve the state’s service infrastructure for the formerly incarcerated. Prior to joining state government, she served as the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization The Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ), where she managed a variety of programs, including support services for victims of crime, juvenile justice diversion programming, prisoner reentry case management, mediation of court cases, and pretrial justice policy reform. Champney holds a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.