2024_ElderAdultDependentAbuseSymposium_program_06.03.24_fina

Masters of Ceremonies

Gene Kennedy Sr. Public Information Specialist Riverside County Department of Public Social Services

Gene Kennedy is the Senior Public Information Specialist at Riverside County’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), where he has provided information and communications to the public and staff for four years.

After earning his Bachelor of Journalism degree at University of Missouri, Columbia, Kennedy began a career in television news in March 2000 in Iowa and Illinois. His career as a news reporter earned him various awards and unique assignments, ranging from breaking news and political coverage to human interest stories. After news reporting stints in the Midwest, Nevada, and Utah, he became the 5, 6 & 10 pm anchor at an NBC affiliate in Quincy, Illinois, where he moderated a statewide gubernatorial debate. After almost 20 years in broadcasting, Kennedy felt it was time to return home to Riverside, CA to be closer to family. Kennedy uses his journalism skills to manage media relations on behalf of DPSS and help the department communicate to the public how it’s improving the health, safety, and wellbeing of Riverside County residents. Kennedy lives with his wife and 12-year-old son in the city of Riverside.

Speakers / Dignitaries

Charity Douglas Director Riverside County Department of Public Social Services

Charity Douglas is the Director of the Department of Public Social Services in Riverside County, overseeing Children’s Services, Adult Services, and Self Sufficiency Services. The department is dedicated to the safety, well-being, health, and independence of Riverside County’s children, families, and adults. The department serves more than 1 million people each year. Charity has

over 20 years of experience driving supportive and innovative programming within multifaceted social service systems. She is driven by a belief in the transformative power of community partnerships. She is a passionate advocate for strengthening prevention and early intervention pathways to address poverty and combat abuse, particularly within the most vulnerable populations.

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2024 Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Symposium