About Human Services
Serving and Supporting the Community
The Sonoma County Human Services Department (HSD) strives to support the health, safety and well-being of individuals, families and the community.
Every day, our programs and services benefit more than 150,000 seniors, veterans, adults, teens, children and people with disabilities, through our four service divisions.
Vision
People in our community live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan.
Mission
Building upon strengths, we bridge people to opportunity through responsive safety net services.
Core Values
Dignity
- We demonstrate genuine curiosity and interest in an individual's situation and circumstances through listening with intent to understand and without judgment.
- Interactions reflect a positive regard and an acceptance of people as they are.
Humility
- We demonstrate a desire to learn from others and a commitment to incorporating diverse ideas and perspectives.
- We recognize when we make a mistake and course correct accordingly.
- We reflect an awareness of power and privilege and strive to be inclusive and transparent with each other and those we serve.
Integrity
- Our words and actions are in alignment with adopted values.
- We are dependable, work to maintain public trust, and carry out our work consistent with requirements and expectations.
Responsiveness
- We are purposeful in getting feedback and meaningfully incorporate information to improve services and outcomes.
- We demonstrate a willingness to implement change to improve quality.
Partnership
- We demonstrate an inherent responsibility to others by building relationships and seek mutual understanding of those needs of those with whom we collaborate with.
- We exhibit a commitment to shared goals.
Belonging
- We create an environment in which people can be authentic, express their needs and perspectives safely, and feel connected.
- We are proactively inclusive, recognize the uniqueness and strengths of others, and value all contributions.
Our Leadership Team
Angela Struckmann, Department Director
Angela was appointed Director of the Human Services Department in October 2020. Prior to becoming director, Angela served as Assistant Director of Human Services since 2018. Angela began her career in social services working in the nonprofit sector in the Midwest and California. She transitioned to working in county government human services programs in 2008, working in Marin and Solano Counties prior to coming to Sonoma. Angela is passionate about supporting individuals and families to be healthy and safe, and providing services that empower all Sonoma County residents to thrive and reach their full potential. Angela has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Lynn Peralta, Assistant Director
Lynn joined Sonoma County HSD as Assistant Director of Human Services in June 2023. For over 25 years she has served in senior management roles in government and community social services, most recently as Policy Director for Alameda County Social Services Agency, and Division Manager at Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department. Lynn is committed to strengthening the safety net and enhancing equitable systems of care for clients and communities in need. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She is a graduate of the NACO High Performance Leadership Academy, CSAC California County Senior Executive Program and Leadership for Equity & Opportunity (LEO).
Paula Glodowski Valla, Assistant Director
Paula joined the Human Services Department in January, 2021 and serves as the Assistant Director of Human Services (HSD). She collaborates with the HSD team to design and implement human service programs that align with the diverse perspectives and experiences of the Sonoma community and supports program initiatives across the Department to ensure operational alignment with the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan, and with state and federal regulations. Before coming to HSD, Paula served local communities for 24 years through social service, behavioral health and criminal justice programs across three Bay Area Counties. Paula earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay.
Paul Dunaway, Adult and Aging Division Director
Promoted to Division Director in 2017, Paul has oversight of the Adult & Aging Division program and services that promote the safety, independence and well-being of older adults, persons with disabilities and military veterans and their families. After joining the Department in 1999, most of his work was with the Family, Youth and Children’s Division. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he has M.A. in Counseling from Sonoma State University.
Felisa Pinson, Economic Assistance Division Director
With the department since 1998, Felisa was promoted in 2018 to Division Director. She oversees benefit programs helping every eligible individual and family access money for food, health care, dental care, financial assistance and other services to meet their basic needs. Felisa is committed to increasing the visibility of her division as a resource in the community and to strengthening the integration of her division within the department by ensuring that other divisions have access to Economic Assistance eligibility assistance. She has completed the Bay Area Social Services Consortium Executive Development Program.
Katie Greaves, Employment and Training Division Director
Katie is also the Director of the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board. She oversees programs that provide job search, cash aid, supportive services and other employment and training services to individuals and families. Her division also provides services to businesses and employers such as hiring events, layoff mitigation, funding for new and incumbent worker training. Katie is passionate about collective impact and working across systems and institutions to promote opportunity, shared prosperity and healthy communities. She has a Master's degree in Public Administration from San Francisco State University.
Donna Broadbent, Family, Youth and Children Division Director
Donna Broadbent began her career with the County of Sonoma in 2005 as a social worker with Family, Youth and Children’s Services. Since that time she has worked across the Family, Youth and Children’s Services Division in various programs as a Child Protective Services Social Worker, Supervisor and most recently as a Section Manager. Donna has a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Donna has also completed the Bay Area Social Services Consortium Executive Leadership Program.
