A key Senate committee has unanimously confirmed Craig S. Stenning as director of the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH).

The committee on Health and Human Services gave Stenning the nod in a hearing this afternoon. Now his name heads to the full Senate for a vote.

Stenning has served as the interim director of the agency since June 2008. MHRH oversees a network of mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse programs. It also governs the operations at Eleanor Slater Hospital.

Stenning began his career almost four decades ago when he founded the CODAC Treatment Centers and served as CEO there for 28 years.

In announcing Stenning as his pick for the MHRH post, last month Carcieri said: "Craig has spent his career serving the public with integrity and distinction and I am confident he will continue to serve with excellence as we move ahead with reform throughout MHRH."