| Ms. Gallagher took the position as the
Director of the Department of Social Services for the County
of Santa Barbara in September of 2003. This is the County's
largest department, with a budget of over $90 million and
more than 700 employees. Prior to that, she joined the
Department in 1998 as the Deputy Director and was
responsible for county-wide Income Maintenance programs
(Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, General Relief), the Adult and Aging
programs, and the one-stop career center systems and
Workforce Investment Act program while also overseeing a
staff of approximately 200.
Kathy was the Human Resources Director for the Social
Service Agency in Santa Clara County from 1997 to 1998,
and from 1995 to 1997, she was the Chief Administrative
Officer for this same agency. Kathy was the Director of
the Department of Aging and Adult Services for the
Social Service Agency in Santa Clara County and had the
responsibility for the In-Home Supportive Services,
Adult Protective Services and Senior Nutrition Programs
from 1993 to 1995, while filling two positions during a
two-year period of serious budget cutbacks within the
same agency. From 1987 to 1995, Kathy was the Director
of Governmental Relations & Planning with overlapping
responsibilities during the final two years in this
position. Prior to that, Kathy was the GAIN Program
Manager within the same organization from 1985 to 1987.
She was responsible for designing and implementing the
first GAIN program in an urban county, and only the
second county in the State. From 1982 to 1985, she was
the Staff Assistant to the Director of the Department of
Social Services for San Mateo County. Kathy was the
Chief of Contracts and Quality Control Division from
1979 to 1982 for the Social Service Agency in Santa
Clara County.
Kathy also serves on the Board of Directors for
Leadership-Santa Maria Valley (Chamber of Commerce
program) and for the Habitat for Humanity which is a
Silicon Valley affiliate. She generously donates her
time volunteering with numerous organizations and
events.
Kathy finished the course work for a Master's degree in
Public Administration and upon completion of her thesis
expects to receive her degree. She has a BA in
Behavioral Science with a minor in Political Science.
Kathy is professionally involved with the County Welfare
Directors Association; American Public Human Services
Association; National Association of Counties; National
Council on Aging; American Society on Aging; League of
Women Voters and the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. |
