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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.

People in our community live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan.

Building upon strengths, we bridge people to opportunity through responsive safety net services.

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 the 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 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, Leadership for Equity & Opportunity (LEO) and APHSA National Leadership Academy.

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.

Katie Greaves, Economic Assistance Division Director

Katie Greaves is the Division Director of the Economic Assistance Division of the Sonoma County Human Services Department. The EA division’s primary responsibility is to quickly determine eligibility of Sonoma County residents for CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Prior to her current role, Katie was the Division Director of the Employment & Training division for 7 years and was in management positions at Family, Youth & Children for ten years before that. 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 with an emphasis in policy analysis from San Francisco State University.

Charity Doronila, Employment and Training Division Director

Charity is also the Director of the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board. She oversees programs that offer employment services, business services, financial assistance, housing, and other supportive services to individuals and families. She has been with the Human Services Department for over 20 years and is a dedicated and passionate public servant through her work and community service. She believes it is a gift to help others and that we can make positive changes in the community through our efforts, and by fostering DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) and trauma-informed care. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Donna Broadbent, Family, Youth and Children Division Director

Donna Broadbent began her career with the County of Sonoma in 2005 as a social worker. Since that time, she has worked across the Family, Youth and Children’s Services Division in various programs prior to becoming the Division Director in 2022. Donna has an Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies from Sonoma State University, a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, and she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Kiergan Pegg, Human Resources Director

Kiergan is an experienced professional with a background in Human Resources and administrative services. Born and raised in Santa Rosa, he attended Santa Rosa Junior College before transferring to Cal State Sacramento for his undergraduate business degree. During college, Kiergan worked as a Human Resources Supervisor at UPS, where he served as the Affirmative Action Coordinator for the Sacramento Valley District. After managing UPS call centers across the country, he relocated to Tucson. In 1999, Kiergan joined Sonoma Water as a Department Analyst and later advanced to Administrative Services Director at Health Services. He came to HSD in 2010, where his role changed from managing all administrative services to focusing on Human Resources.

Gerardo Perez, Chief Financial Officer

Gerardo began his career with the Human Services Department in August 2011 as an Account Clerk II in the SonomaWORKs Fiscal unit. In 2014, he transitioned to the Department of Health Services, where he served as an Auditor, Accountant II, and Accountant III. He returned to Human Services in 2018 to manage the Accounts Payable unit and was later promoted to Department Accounting Manager. In 2022, Gerardo was appointed Director of Finance. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State University, Long Beach. Originally from Mexico, Gerardo moved to Sonoma County 30 years ago and currently resides in Windsor with his spouse and their three children—Isabella, Thiago, and Aleah. Gerardo’s leadership in fiscal management supports the delivery of vital community services, with a focus on removing barriers faced by minority communities and ensuring long-term financial stability for the Human Services Department.