Director of Behavioral Health Services Replaced After Misconduct Reported

Media
Aug 26
2 min read

Leadership Transition After Release of Misconduct Claims in Behavioral Health Services

The County is making changes as a result of investigations into misconduct to ensure integrity, equity and accountability in our work, including serving some of our most vulnerable residents.

The County is releasing the findings publicly.

“These substantiated claims do not reflect the County’s values, my values as a leader and the expectations I have for our executive team and our employees. All inappropriate actions including racism and sexism are absolutely unacceptable and have no place at the County, and we will expect the highest standards of service to uphold public trust.”—County of San Diego Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton

Once made aware, current County executive leadership called for a closer examination of processes to strengthen expectations around decision-making, accountability and leadership conduct. Shelton acknowledges the dedicated work of County employees who serve the community and the significant progress that’s been made to date through training, communication, organizational structure and resources.

Results of this examination prompted a leadership change in Behavioral Health Services. Experienced Health and Human Services Agency executive Jennifer Bransford-Koons will help lead the department on a temporary basis after the departure of Director Nadia Privara.

A transition plan is being developed to ensure all services continue without disruption as the hiring process for the new leader is conducted.

The misconduct was discovered and investigated through reports to the County’s Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards. The County anticipates additional substantiated findings and will address them under the same standard of accountability.

These findings exist because County employees reported the conduct. Reporting worked.

Employees and the public are encouraged to continue to report concerns, including sexual harassment, discrimination, racism, waste, fraud and abuse.

Reports can be made confidentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the County’s Ethics Hotline at 866-549-0004 as well as online, and to the District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit.

Written by Tammy Glenn | August 25, 2026 | County of San Diego Communications Office

NOTE: SCS changed the title and added links.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the County's sanitized version of the incident. You might be interested in reading Voice of San Diego reporter Lisa Halverstandt's "Racist Comments Outed in Voice Records Request; Dept Head Out" for more details.

I found the link to 'Privara, a longtime county official, took on the role after the spring 2025 resignation of ex-director Luke Bergmann' extremely interesting. You might as well.