Melissa Weatherton serves as the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, a Medicaid division. In this role, she oversees services and supports for beneficiaries with developmental disabilities and delays. Programs include day treatment programs for children and adults, community-based programs, applied behavior analysis for children with Autism, 24-hour care in Intermediate Care Facilities, a program for children with chronic health care needs, as well as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. Prior to becoming the Director in January of 2016, Melissa served as Deputy Director of the division in 2013. Melissa started her career at DHS in the agency’s legal department, holding several positions including deputy chief counsel where she oversaw policy, contracts, and legislation for DHS. She also has extensive knowledge of child welfare from her work in the legal department representing the child welfare agency as well as children in the foster care system. She has been a licensed attorney since 2005 and a volunteer with the non-profit organization, Project Zero, since 2006. She has been Chairman of the Project Zero board since 2011. Melissa also attends St. James United Methodist Church.
