California’s Rita Downs, Calaveras County’s Behavioral Health Services Director, Retires

New Talent Rita Downs, Calaveras County's Behavioral Health Services director, announced her retirement last week, becoming the third department head to step down in less than a month. Her final day will be Jan. 25. She first took over behavioral health duties in 2004, more than 20 years after beginning a career in mental health that has taken her to Washington, Oregon and as far away as Vermont. There has been no word on Downs' interim replacement. Health Services Agency Director Tracy said her department has already begun a recruitment process and hopes to begin interviews in January. Contact . . .