VENTURA COUNTY ENDS JOB SEARCH.

Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer

Capping a yearlong nationwide search to head Ventura County's financially troubled mental health department, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday named its acting director to the permanent post.

Linda Shulman, 42, will take over the $115,000 a-year-job, the board decided in a closed-door meeting.

``I have high hopes, if there is anyone who can improve funding in the department, it's her,'' said John Johnston, the county's executive officer.

The board last year ousted David Gudeman from the post amid complaints of low morale, high turnover and clashes with other department heads.

Officials praised Shulman for her managerial skills but said her ability will be tested as she takes on a department confronting the most severe budget cuts of any in the county.

``She's got to find a way to deliver (mental health) services with less money. At the same time, she's got to find new sources of money,'' Johnston said.

But what gave her the advantage over the 80 other applicants was her inside knowledge of the department and her experience from 2000 to 2002 as the chief operating officer of Ventura County's Behavioral Health Department.

As director of the department, she will oversee 500 employees working in 20 public drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and 13 mental health clinics.

She also must grapple with how to fill a $6 million hole in her $51 million budget.

Supervisor Kathy Long said that, given Shulman's track record, ``She has done an outstanding job. She has enthusiasm, vision and a great hope for that department.''

Shulman said being named to the permanent position ``is an honor,'' adding that the budget is her first priority.

``We have a lot of fiscal challenges,'' she said. ``We will also be coming up with creative solutions for housing of our clients - that will be a priority.''

Rachel Uranga, [phone]

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com