Director of Mississippi Department of Human Services resigns

Christopher Freeze, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, announced his resignation today.

Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Freeze to the position in August. His resignation is effective Jan. 14.

“I have been blessed with a long and fruitful career in public service, and this appointment has been a bright spot in that career,” Freeze said in his statement. “My goal is to speak, write, and advocate for our state to become a nationwide example of how being a trauma-informed state can help everyone pursue a healthy, happy, and purposeful life.”

The agency manages a broad range of services to Mississippians including protecting the rights of older citizens, children and disabled people. It also administers numerous safety-net programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (still widely known as food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, and Workforce Development, among others.

Prior to his brief tenure with MDHS, Freeze served as Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi.

He did not indicate whether he has accepted another position.

Pelice Hall, left, and Marshall Fisher announced their resignations Dec. 31, 2019. (Photos from MDOC and MDPS)

This is the third resignation of Mississippi agency leaders in two days. Yesterday, Dec. 31, Pelicia Hall, commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and Marshall Fisher, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, announced they would also be leaving this month.