DAS honors outgoing executive director Shireen McSpadden as she moves to homelessness post
May 05, 2021 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Commission on May 2 honored outgoing Executive Director Shireen McSpadden and issued a mayoral proclamation marking the day in her honor.
President Martha Knudson presented a slideshow and read a proclamation recognizing McSpadden's 18 years at DAS and listing accomplishments that include implementing the Dignity Fund, establishing a national-model disability cultural community center, launching the Reframing Aging SF campaign, and expanding services for older adults, veterans and people with disabilities. Knudson said the department's staff of more than 300 delivered groundbreaking programs under McSpadden's leadership.
The recognition drew personal tributes from multiple commissioners. Vice President Janet Spears thanked McSpadden for including philanthropy and community partners in city planning; Commissioner Nelson Lum and others cited McSpadden's collaborative leadership and commitment to veterans and vulnerable residents.
McSpadden, in her final public report to the commission, reflected on the department's pandemic work and partnerships. "I have been here for 18 years," she said, noting DAS's response to COVID-19 — including thousands of wellness calls and food-and-housing assistance for vulnerable residents — and her work with statewide organizations such as the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A). She said San Francisco remains well positioned to continue DAS's programs and to pursue opportunities at the state level.
Commissioners also used the public meeting to highlight staff achievements: the commission recognized Sarah Brown of Adult Protective Services as employee of the month for May 2021 for casework on complex financial-abuse cases and for commitment to clients.
After the public business, the commission held a closed session on a nomination for the next DAS executive director and later reported it had voted unanimously to forward a nominee to the mayor. The commission also voted not to disclose closed-session details.
McSpadden told the commission she plans to transition to the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to continue working on housing and services for the city's most vulnerable populations. The commission adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
President Martha Knudson presented a slideshow and read a proclamation recognizing McSpadden's 18 years at DAS and listing accomplishments that include implementing the Dignity Fund, establishing a national-model disability cultural community center, launching the Reframing Aging SF campaign, and expanding services for older adults, veterans and people with disabilities. Knudson said the department's staff of more than 300 delivered groundbreaking programs under McSpadden's leadership.
The recognition drew personal tributes from multiple commissioners. Vice President Janet Spears thanked McSpadden for including philanthropy and community partners in city planning; Commissioner Nelson Lum and others cited McSpadden's collaborative leadership and commitment to veterans and vulnerable residents.
McSpadden, in her final public report to the commission, reflected on the department's pandemic work and partnerships. "I have been here for 18 years," she said, noting DAS's response to COVID-19 — including thousands of wellness calls and food-and-housing assistance for vulnerable residents — and her work with statewide organizations such as the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A). She said San Francisco remains well positioned to continue DAS's programs and to pursue opportunities at the state level.
Commissioners also used the public meeting to highlight staff achievements: the commission recognized Sarah Brown of Adult Protective Services as employee of the month for May 2021 for casework on complex financial-abuse cases and for commitment to clients.
After the public business, the commission held a closed session on a nomination for the next DAS executive director and later reported it had voted unanimously to forward a nominee to the mayor. The commission also voted not to disclose closed-session details.
McSpadden told the commission she plans to transition to the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to continue working on housing and services for the city's most vulnerable populations. The commission adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
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