San Diego County officials confirmed on Tuesday that the head of the Behavioral Health Services Department will leave the agency after county‑wide records disclosed a racist remark made during a mandatory cultural‑responsiveness training. The announcement came minutes after a Superior Court judge ordered the county to release employee misconduct files that Voice of San Diego had been seeking for more than a year.
Record reveals offensive comment
The released documents include a February 2025 incident in which an administrative analyst, who was unintentionally left unmuted, shouted, “I thought this wasn’t going to be political, but what do you expect when it’s taught by a bunch of Black people.” The comment was made in front of roughly 75 staff members attending the training.
County investigators reported that the analyst was removed from the session and later claimed the remark was intended for her mother, who was at home at the time. The investigation did not immediately clarify whether the employee faced disciplinary action.
County response and leadership change
Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton issued a statement condemning the behavior, emphasizing that “racism and sexism are absolutely unacceptable and have no place at the county.” She added that the misconduct was substantiated by the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards and that the county will hold all employees to the highest standards of service and public trust.
In response to the findings, the county announced that Health and Human Services Agency executive Jennifer Bransford‑Koons will serve as interim head of Behavioral Health Services. She will replace Nadia Privara, who has led the department since April 2025 after the resignation of former director Luke Bergmann earlier that spring.
Calls for stronger accountability
County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe expressed support for the leadership change, stating that the county must ensure “racism and discrimination are never tolerated in our workplace.” She emphasized that the county’s commitment to equity must be reflected in actions, not just rhetoric.
The county also pledged a review of internal processes to strengthen expectations around decision‑making, accountability, and leadership conduct. Shelton noted that the agency has already made “significant progress” through training, communication, organizational restructuring, and additional resources.
Implications for county services
The sudden leadership transition occurs as the Behavioral Health Services Department continues to operate as a standalone county agency, providing mental‑health and substance‑use treatment to thousands of residents. County officials say the interim appointment will maintain continuity of services while a permanent director is identified.
Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for transparent hiring practices and a renewed focus on cultural competence within the department. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in fostering inclusive workplaces within government agencies.
Next steps
County officials will continue to investigate any additional misconduct uncovered by the records request and will address further findings under the same standards of accountability. The public can expect updates as the interim director’s tenure progresses and as the county finalizes its review of internal policies.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
