Karen Bailey-Smith Honored as Debra J. Blum Award Recipient

Judge Winston Bethel (left) and award recipient Dr. Karen Bailey-Smith

The Office of the Mental Health Advocate honored Dr. Karen Bailey-Smith on August 12th as the 2007 Debra J. Blum Award recipient.  Dr. Bailey-Smith has been the Director of Forensic Services for the Georgia Department of Human Resources since 2000. Dr. Bailey-Smith was recognized for her tireless efforts to improve the forensic division of DHR and improve the quality of life of forensic patients.  She introduced legislation which closed loop holes in the criminal justice system which were a legal detriment to mentally disabled defendants.  Under Dr. Bailey-Smith’s direction, seven new state operated forensic group homes were created to target forensic clients who might otherwise have longer stays in the hospital.

Dr. Bailey-Smith co-authored Senate Bill 398 last year and was instrumental in helping that piece of legislation pass through Georgia’s legislature.  Dr. Bailey-Smith also rallied support for Senate Bill 198, which clarified to a jury that Defendants found Guilty but Mentally Ill or Retarded would go to prison instead of a mental hospital.  This law has created better informed jurors and fewer jailed mental patients.  Judge Winston Bethel, Dekalb Magistrate Court and recipient of last years’ Debra J. Blum award, presented this years award to Dr. Bailey-Smith.   Dr. Chris Gault, the Medicaid & Special Initiative Coordinator with DHR’s Mental Health Developmental Disability and Addictive Diseases, described forensics as Dr. Bailey-Smith’s true love.

Dr. Bailey-Smith grew up on Long Island, New York and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Adelphi University.  She has focused her career on children and adult forensics in the criminal justice settings.  She began as a staff psychologist at West Central Georgia Regional Hospital and then served as the Director of Psychology, clinical coordinator of the C & A Unit, and then Hospital Forensic Director. Dr. Bailey-Smith stated that the award meant a great deal to her because of her love of forensics and admiration of  Debra Blum. She recounted many memories of working with Debra Blum to improve the mental health laws in Georgia and views her as an inspiration..