Streets Named New Head of Aging and Adult Services

Dennis Streets is the new head of the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). He began his appointment on March 1. Streets replaces long-time DAAS Director Karen Gottovi, who retired at the end of February.

“Dennis has been a chief architect in planning for the future of aging in North Carolina,” said Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom. “He has been a leader in preparing for the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and in continuing to further the mission of the division to promote the independence and dignity of our seniors and disabled adults.”

In announcing the appointment, Hooker Odom noted about Streets, “He has been a tremendous asset to DHHS in his 10 years with the division.”

Streets has spent his career working in the field of aging and adult services. His experience at the division includes serving as the chief of the planning, budget and systems support section and serving as a human services planner.

“I very much appreciate this opportunity to help build upon the leadership of Karen in further strengthening services, supports, and opportunities for our state’s seniors, adults with disabilities, and their families,” Streets said. “We must continue to be good stewards of public funds and trust, work effectively with our local service providers and many other partners, seek and respect the views of consumers and their advocates, and move forward initiatives to help assure that all citizens enjoy livable and senior-friendly communities that are also responsive and inclusive in providing needed long-term services and supports. Our goal is for North Carolina to remain a national leader in the field of aging and adult services.”

His other work experience includes government service with the Division of Social Services and the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging; time spent in the private sector as executive director of The Evergreens, Inc., a non-profit long-term care organization and as a professional relations representative with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; and time spent as coordinator of Center for Aging Research and Educational Services at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. He was co-editor of the book The Field of Adult Services, published in 1995.

Streets received his undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and he holds Masters Degrees in Public Health and the Arts of Teaching, also from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a licensed nursing home administrator.

He lives in Chatham County with his wife, Dawn, and their two sons, Clark and Matt.

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Last Modified: March 3, 2006