Leadership

Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW is the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). She was nominated to the position in January 2023 by Governor Josh Shapiro, and unanimously confirmed by the General Assembly in June 2023.

Prior to serving as DDAP’s Secretary, she was the Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Highmark Wholecare, formerly Gateway Health Plan. Over the past 25 years, Secretary Davis-Jones’ work has focused on the physical and behavioral health needs of vulnerable populations.

She provided leadership and administrative oversight of Highmark Wholecare’s behavioral health program and oversaw the program development including the development of operations within new markets/business initiatives and the implementation and evaluation of utilization management, case management, and disease/condition management programs impacting the health of members.

She served as administrator for the Allegheny County Drug and Alcohol Services from 2011-2020 and was an adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh for ten years starting in 2007. 

From 1999-2011 she was Director of Satellite Services at Tadiso, Inc., which is one of PA’s largest medication-assisted treatment facilities, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of their outpatient drug treatment/prevention program. 

Kelly’s 20+ years of experience in human services are a testament to her dedication towards improving services and systems for the people who use them and for the staff that provide them.

Kelly began her career managing fundraising projects for nonprofits, then transitioned to working directly for a variety of community-based human services organizations.

She also has worked in the managed care and behavioral health sectors, concentrating on the development and implementation of Medicaid behavioral health managed care programs and quality improvement.This has included developing program outcomes, expanding value-based incentives, fostering input and involvement from people in recovery, family members, providers, and others, and applying evidence-based practices to public sector services, including implementing and monitoring a successful permanent supported housing program.

In her current role, Kelly is leveraging her experience with various components of the service system to support the Department and Shapiro Administration’s priorities to benefit people with substance use disorders, the people who love them, providers, and the communities across the Commonwealth.