Alameda Co. Admin Tapped To Lead Santa Cruz County Human Services

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — An Alameda County social services administrator has been named Santa Cruz County’s next director of Human Services, it was announced Monday.

Randy Morris will take over for current Santa Cruz County Human Services Director Ellen Timberlake who is retiring. Timberlake will continue to serve until Morris arrives in early 2020, and she will assist in the leadership transition, according to Jason Hoppin, communications manager for the County of Santa Cruz.

Morris has served Alameda County for nearly 25 years in a variety of roles, including in the fields of child welfare, Medi-Cal, and adult and aging services.

“Randy brings a strong background in delivering services that match community needs,” Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios said. "We look forward to having him join the team and beginning his work on behalf of Santa Cruz County residents.”

“Santa Cruz County has a track record of supporting and uplifting the most vulnerable among us,” Morris said. “I look forward to working closely with county staff, elected officials and the community as we carry that work forward into the future.”

As the assistant agency director for Alameda County Social Services Agency, Morris helps oversee Alameda County’s $900 million social services budget. His current responsibilities include management of the Adult and Aging Services Department. He also oversaw Alameda County’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, and previously served as a division director overseeing child welfare services, according to Hoppin.

For the past three years, Morris has also facilitated Alameda County’s Age Friendly Council.