The following is quoted from pennlive.com . . . .

Pennsylvania Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman is resigning from her Cabinet post on Dec. 31 to become chief operating officer at U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

Richman has served as secretary since the beginning of Gov. Ed Rendell's administration in 2003.

"Secretary Richman served during one of the most challenging periods in modern Pennsylvania history for human services, and she met that challenge in a way few others could have done," Rendell said. "The recession increased demands on social services just as public money became scarce, yet she improved the quality of DPW programs while still managing the department with heightened efficiency."

Rendell hailed Richman for her many accomplishments. He announced Harriet Dichter of Philadelphia will succeed Richman as secretary. Her nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. Dichter serves as Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early Learning for the departments of Public Welfare and Education.