After more than three decades in federal service, Seth Hassett is closing one chapter and opening another. In a LinkedIn post, the longtime U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leader announced his retirement and the launch of Hassett Strategies, a consulting and training practice focused on strengthening community services and building crisis agility for states, municipalities, and nonprofits.
“Today, I officially retire from federal service after 32 incredible years at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” Hassett wrote, noting career milestones that included leading FEMA’s Crisis Counseling Program after 9/11 and helping guide recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, and COVID-19. He added: “I’m happy to share my next chapter: Hassett Strategies — a consulting and training practice focused on strengthening community services and building crisis agility…”
Hassett’s background aligns closely with the firm’s mission. Most recently Policy Director for the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the Administration for Children and Families, he previously served as Senior Advisor at OCS and Director of the Division of Community Assistance, overseeing the Community Services Block Grant and Social Services Block Grant programs and distributing $1 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Earlier at SAMHSA, he led emergency mental health and traumatic stress services, spearheaded Project Liberty to support hundreds of thousands after 9/11, and established the Disaster Technical Assistance Center.
Through Hassett Strategies, he plans to advise on interagency collaboration, program design, crisis counseling integration, grant and supplemental funding strategies, continuity of services for vulnerable populations, and workforce protection during emergencies. “The challenges ahead are immense, but I’ve learned that when communities work together, even catastrophic challenges can be overcome,” he said. “This next chapter is about putting my experience to work… and sharing key lessons to inspire dialogue and action.”
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)