Mayor London Breed Appoints Kelly Dearman To Lead Division Of Incapacity And Growing older Companies

May 06, 2021

Dearman, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the San Francisco In Home Supportive Services Public Authority, brings over 15 years of experience improving the lives of older adults and people with disabilities

San Francisco, CA. – Mayor of London N. Breed announced today that Kelly Dearman will serve as Executive Director for the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) in San Francisco. Dearman is currently the Executive Director of the San Francisco In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) agency, which helps seniors and people with disabilities live independently and participate in their communities. Mayor Breed nominated Dearman for the role, and it was approved by the Disability and Aging Services Commission yesterday. She will take up the new position on May 24th.

As one of the three divisions of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, DAS offers critical programs to maximize the wellbeing, safety, and independence of all adults with disabilities, the elderly, and veterans. The services offered by DAS and its community partners include access to food, health insurance, and other benefits. home care and support services; Protection services that help prevent neglect and abuse; and assistance with technology, transportation, and programs to prevent isolation. In addition, DAS manages the Dignity Fund, which provides guaranteed funding to help older adults and adults with disabilities age gracefully in their own homes and communities.

“Kelly Dearman’s longstanding commitment to the rights of the elderly and people with disabilities and her close ties to the community make her a great leader in our Disability and Elderly Services Division,” said Mayor Breed. “As our population ages, the Department’s efforts to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities can live healthy and dignified lives become increasingly important. I look forward to working with Kelly as we continue San’s ongoing efforts Continue Francisco It is easier for everyone, and especially our most vulnerable community members, to live and thrive in our city. “

“My focus has been on improving the lives of people with disabilities and older adults, and I would like to thank Mayor Breed for the opportunity to serve the people of San Francisco in this new capacity,” said Kelly Dearman. “I look forward to leveraging my experience and deep roots in San Francisco and adding to all of the work that has already been done at DAS.”

Dearman’s years of experience in long-term support services make her well prepared to lead THAT. During her time at the IHSS Public Authority, she improved coordination with partner agencies to better serve the people IHSS serves and started a program to help more people live independently. She is also president of the California Association of Public Authorities, a member of the San Francisco Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and co-chair of the San Francisco Aging and Disability Task Force. Prior to serving as Executive Director of the IHSS Public Authority, she was President of the San Francisco Human Services Commission.

“Kelly Dearman is an inspired decision by the Mayor to lead DAS and I couldn’t be more delighted to have the opportunity to work with her,” said Trent Rhorer, executive director of the Human Services Agency. “With her deep commitment to the needy, I am confident that she will continue the legacy of DAS by advancing the interests of older adults, people with disabilities, veterans and their families.”

“We are very pleased to recommend Kelly Dearman as our next DAS Director,” said Martha Knutzen, president of the San Francisco Disability and Aging Services Commission. “We appreciate the skills and experience she brings to our department, particularly in the context of her work with carers, and we look forward to her guidance as we advance the reopening and continue to care for our vulnerable populations knows that she will bring real compassion and energy into the incredibly important work of serving our seniors, our adults with disabilities, and our veterans. “

“Kelly has the experience, passion and commitment to effectively serving older adults and people with disabilities in our city,” said Sandy Mori, vice chair of the Dignity Fund Oversight Committee. “She is a contributor and community builder and I look forward to her continuing her work for those in need. Congratulations to her.”

Dearman has close ties to San Francisco and the Bay Area. In 2008, Dearman co-founded SF Urban CHC, a nonprofit that is the first to provide low-income education and financial literacy to San Francisco residents. She currently serves on the boards of Goodwill San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin, the Delancey Street Foundation, and Openhouse San Francisco.

“Kelly has the expertise and the spirit of collaboration to continue the legacy that former managing director Shireen McSpadden created at DAS,” said Cathy Davis, general manager of Bayview Senior Services. “Kelly’s commitment to social justice and genuine concern for vulnerable and marginalized people is necessary to move THAT forward.”

“At Self-Help for the Elderly, we sincerely congratulate Kelly as she steps in as DAS Executive Director,” said Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly. “With her many years of direct experience and leadership roles in the elderly and disabled community, we look forward to working with her and the Commission to meet the needs of our seniors.”

Dearman has a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, a JD from UC Hastings, and an MA in Public Policy from Rutgers University. For ten years she ran a small law firm specializing in senior affairs and probate law. Additionally, Dearman and her sister previously ran a real estate company founded by their grandmother more than 50 years ago.

Dearman was born and raised in San Francisco. She lives with her family in the Cole Valley neighborhood and in the same house she grew up in. She lives with her husband, two children and their parents.

This news release was prepared by the office of the Mayor of San Francisco. The views expressed here are the author’s own.