Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Lourdes R. Padilla this week appointed Alicia Streets to serve as director of the Garrett County Department of Social Services. The selection process and resulting appointment were a result of collaboration between DHS and Garrett County Government.

The local departments of social services play a critical role in the State’s human services delivery system as they are the focal points for most benefits and beneficiaries, especially those intended for children and families. Despite the tag “local,” local departments of social services are essentially arms of DHS in each county and Baltimore City.

Each local department has a director appointed with the concurrence of the Secretary of Human Services and the county executive, county council or commissioners, or Mayor of Baltimore City. Except in Montgomery County, local department directors and most of their staff are State employees.

According to a letter from Secretary Padilla:

Alicia’s roots run deep at the Garrett County Department of Social Services (GCDSS), having joined the Department in 1995 as a Child Support Receptionist. She has been involved in all aspects of the operation at GCDSS and has also served as Assistant Director for the Local Government Administration since 1997.

A committed public servant, Alicia remains active in the Garrett County community and has served on the Western Maryland Incident Management Team and the Garrett County Emergency Operations Center.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration from West Virginia University, Alicia went on to earn her Master of Business Administration from Frostburg State University. She is also a proud graduate of the DHS Leadership Development Initiative.

Ms. Streets will begin her new role in Garrett County on Wednesday, June 16.

As we embark on this new chapter, I would also like to personally thank Rick Dewitt for over 35 years of dedicated service to DHS and Garrett County. Rick has exemplified true leadership, meeting every challenge with positivity and contributing immeasurably to the lives of so many in his home county. All of us here at DHS will never forget his contributions to the State of Maryland.

Please join me in wishing Rick the very best in his retirement and congratulating Alicia on her well deserved appointment to our leadership team. We look forward to Alicia’s continued success in serving the Garrett County community and improving the lives of others.

Sincerely,

Secretary Lourdes R. Padilla