Gov. Sonny Perdue has named Jewel Norman as the state mental health ombudsman, a position that is being funded for the first time this year.

Perdue said in a statement Wednesday that Norman will start her five-year appointment on July 16.

She will be responsible for establishing a state-wide complaint process, collecting and recording data on complaints about service providers, recommending law and policy changes, and compiling a biennial report on types of complaints, among other tasks.

Norman's previous experience includes heading a residential treatment facility and several large comprehensive psychiatric hospitals.

Perdue had created a committee to nominate candidates for the new position in January.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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