Dan Conners remembered for lifetime of service to Placer County families

Dan Conners spent decades helping some of Placer County's most vulnerable children and families, often doing so without seeking recognition. For those that grew up in Auburn and struggled at home, there was a good chance Conners played a role in their life. "If you were a troubled youth in Placer County, you probably ran into him at some point," said his son, Scott Conners. Conners, who died Dec. 6, 2025, at age 80, worked for Placer County for more than three decades, focusing on helping at-risk youth and families. His career began in juvenile corrections in San Mateo County, but he quickly realized he wanted to intervene earlier, before kids reached that point. "He wasn't a cop," Scott Conners said. "He wanted to get to them before they got in trouble." That philosophy carried through his work in Placer County, where he served in a variety of roles within what is now Health and Human Services, eventually leading programs aimed at helping families achieve stability and independence. Among those efforts was his work with what became the GAIN program, now known as CalWORKs, which focused on providing job training, childcare and support services to help individuals transition off public assistance. "There's a lot of success stories out there," Scott Conners said. One came years later, when Scott returned to school at Sierra College and met a professor who recognized his last name. "She said, 'Are you related to Dan Conners?' " he recalled. "She told me she was a CalWORKs participant and was a single mom who went through the program. Years later, she ended up being my professor." Beyond his county work, Conners was also a founding force behind the Motherlode Youth and Family Services Foundation, a nonprofit that continues to support local residents in need. Don Ferretti, a former Placer County Health and Human Services director and current foundation board member, worked alongside Conners for years and said the group focused on simple, direct help. "Our philosophy was 'just-in-time' help," Ferretti said. "No bureaucracy, just helping people when they need it." He recalled an example in which the foundation paid to replace the transmission in a single mother's car so she could continue working and supporting her children. "That's the kind of thing Dan believed in," Ferretti said. Ferretti described Conners as a steady presence professionally and personally. "Dan Conners was just such a good man, in his heart," Ferretti said. "Very trustworthy, kind-hearted." Even outside of work, Conners was known for his sense of humor. Ferretti recalled a golf tournament where the two finished in last place and Conners took it upon himself to lean into it. "He cut eye holes in paper bags, and we walked into the clubhouse wearing them," Ferretti said. "That was Dan. He just created moments where you couldn't help but laugh." Despite a long career and wide-reaching impact, those closest to him say Conners rarely talked about his accomplishments. "He never bragged," Scott Conners said. "A lot of people don't really know how many lives he impacted." In addition to his professional work, Conners remained committed to community service throughout his life, continuing a legacy inspired by his father and rooted in helping others. A memorial will be held June 6 at noon at Tahoe City Golf Course, with the annual Two Bills Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for June 7. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Tahoe City Recreation Association, supporting youth programs and community recreation, causes that reflected Conners' lifelong belief in giving others a chance to succeed. Donations can be made here.