Two weeks after Andrea Jackson-Jennings resigned as director of human services in St. Louis County, County Executive Sam Page has appointed a person to fill the role.
Howard Hayes, executive director of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, is replacing Jackson-Jennings after she was named managing director of the Regional Response Team.
“Howard has a distinguished career helping elevate others and came with the recommendation of his predecessor, Andrea Jackson-Jennings, who was a champion for all our residents,” Page said. “We are happy he is joining us.”
Human Services, a department of about 70 employees, is the social services arm of the St. Louis County government, overseeing programs for the unhoused, veterans, older adults and youth. The department manages workforce development programs and The Kathy J. Weinman Shelter, a domestic violence program for abused women and their children.
The department has had an increased role during the pandemic, leading humanitarian relief efforts, rental assistance and the oversight of programs for at-risk populations.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to lead a department charged with connecting residents to a wide array of services, from workforce development to programs helping stabilize the lives of our unhoused,” Hayes said. “During this pandemic, the need is great, and I look forward to working with the talented team at Human Services.”
Hayes begins his work Sept. 27.
