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Show i Lavis reassigned, out at traisiiimg school Nakao takes over reigns while new head is sought :V- ? t ' ' , 1 - . 4 I .: . y y i - y it ,: ; S - ' ' . y i v ! V ; . - . : ' : . ' ; , - - "i ' "v I - . ' ' -, . . x i. .4 - t -,' ' . - i Ci . . , . tJU' j-"! Leonard W. Lavis, superintendent of the Utah State Training School, Friday accepted the position of Community Consultant to the Division of Services to the Handicapped Han-dicapped in the field of mental retardation, effective immediately. Dr. Gary Nakao, Director of Services to the Handicapped, made the announcement of Mr. Lavis's reassignment in a memorandum sent to employees of the school. Dr. Nakao will serve as acting superintendent of the training school until a replacement can be announced. an-nounced. He said recruitment arrangements for the position of superintendent are still under consideration. In announcing Mr. Lavis' reassignment, Dr. Nakao said. "We are in the process of conducting a review of our system of services. Mr. Lavis was transferred to maximize his services to the state. "There has been a splintering of handicapped advocates in the community, and it is our hope that Mr. Lavis, working with the handicapped han-dicapped field, can help us in our need to unify efforts." Dr. Nakao said. He said that "prior to his appointment ap-pointment as superintendent of the training school. Mr. Lavis was with the Kansas Neurological Institute, one of the Kansas Slate facilities for the mentally retarded." Mr. Lavis has served as superintendent of the training school for the past 4 1 years. Of his service he said "during these years I believe that the training school has moved ahead at a good pace. Much has been accomplished ac-complished through the diligent and hardworking efforts of all the nearly 900 dedicated employees (of the school ) . They are to be commended. "Mr. Lavis said during his tenure at the school he has become increasingly in-creasingly aware of the major problems of the state in the provision of services to the retarded. "There is a marked division, fractionalization, amongst those who care for our handicapped citizens. The state must move forward for-ward in a unified effort if the needs of the handicapped are to be met appropriately both in the institution and in the community," he slated. He continued in his new position he will "endeavor to become acquainted with the leaders of the many communities in Utah and trust that through my efforts much good can come to our handicapped residents." Dr. Nakao. Division Director, holds a Master of Social Work, a Ph D in Educational Psychology, and a Master of Business Administration. . . . while Dr. Gary Nakao becomes acting superintendent until a permanent replacement can be found. onard Lavis has been reassigned from the Utah State I Gaining School .. . |