King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) welcomes Kelly Rider as the new Acting Director of the department! For nearly two decades, Kelly has worked on strategic initiatives across all levels of government and most recently served as Chief of Staff for the department.  

Kelly joined DCHS in 2017 and began her time with the department working on housing policy and the expansion of supportive housing in the region. 
 
Kelly worked closely with the former director, Leo Flor, to grow a range of housing options across multiple jurisdictions as part of Health Through Housing. She helped guide the implementation plans for the renewal of Best Starts for Kids, the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy as well as the first Crisis Care Centers plan. Kelly helped shape the behavioral health policy agenda for King County and works closely with King County Integrated Care Network partners to expand the workforce, Medicaid access, and crisis services.  

“Over the past few years DCHS has grown considerably, and under the leadership of Director Flor, we expanded our human services initiatives to reach more King County residents and drive down disproportionality across key areas. I am focused on fulfilling commitments the department has made and hopeful about the future. The talented staff at DCHS partner with hundreds of community-based providers each year and have the knowledge, experience, and relationships to bring bold action to the communities we serve. I plan to build off the progress we have made and strengthen investments in the human services workforce, on our way toward growing the programs and services that meet the increasing needs of our region. I am honored and humbled to lead this team and continue in our pursuit to provide equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community,” said Kelly Rider, Acting Director of DCHS.  

Over the last seven years, Kelly has worked in coalition with regional human services organizations, led legislative efforts and policy development on some of the region’s most pressing issues, including housing, behavioral health, human services workforce wages and retention.  

“I am thrilled that Executive Constantine selected Kelly as Acting Director. I have depended upon and learned from Kelly while I was director. Kelly is smart, strategic, and has a true moral compass. She is fluent in the issues across all sectors of what we do, has earned the respect of the people with whom we work, and she cares deeply about the people we serve. Kelly has helped me see and pick a better course countless times, and she will lead DCHS with care and skill,” said Leo Flor.

Kelly will help maintain stability for the 580-person department that has built long-lasting partnerships with cities and providers across King County to expand the regional impact of human services initiatives. An example of that partnership is with DESC. DCHS and DESC have long partnered across collective behavioral health work, crisis work, affordable housing, Health Through Housing, shelters and more.  

“Kelly Rider has more than a decade of incredibly important experience in both nonprofit organizations and in local government related to two of the most significant issues facing King County and DCHS: affordable housing and behavioral health services.  Her collaborative nature and approach to partnership with a wide array of stakeholders make her an excellent choice for the DCHS Director role,” said Daniel Malone, DESC Executive Director.  

Under Kelly’s leadership, DCHS will continue its efforts to deliver on core commitments across initiatives, advancing programs and services for King County residents, and responding with urgency to growing issues related to workforce wages and retention, substance use disorder treatment and services, and partnerships with providers to connect people to their community.     

“In recent years, DCHS has taken on implementation of significant programs and is entrusted with multiple nation-leading initiatives like the Crisis Care Centers, Health Through Housing, the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, and the King County Integrated Care Network – and Kelly Rider has been there all along to craft the policies and solutions. As Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I look forward to continuing to work with Acting Director Rider to advance this critical work,” said Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. “Success of these and other foundational investments in affordable housing and behavioral health requires continued focus and strategic insight and Kelly will be a great partner to advance this important work.” 

To learn more about what DCHS does, get the latest news and information on our department, and learn more about the initiatives mentioned above, check out our website or follow us on Instagram.