Liliana Capa Velez
Valencia
Summary
Expert in child welfare service delivery, specializing in strategic program implementation and team leadership. Proven ability to enhance service outcomes through innovative initiatives and effective staff development. Strong skills in cross-agency collaboration and public relations, driving impactful results in service delivery.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Regional Administrator
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Santa Clarita
05.2016 - Current
- Oversaw eight units of Supervising Children's Social Workers and Children’s Social Workers in Emergency Response, Continuing Services, Dependency Investigations, and coaching developers in WSFV and Santa Clarita area, managing over 65 staff.
- Led ARA for various programs/projects including but not limited to LGBTQIA Champions, ERR Team, ER Training, Joint Investigation Law Enforcement Project, Education Collaboration/SCAN Team, 0-5 Champion Team/Services, Incarcerated Parents, DYD Pilot, Santa Clarita Open House, CANS, Core Practice Model Implementation, Permanency CFT, Resource Committee, WSFV Resource Parent Recruitment Event, Up Front Family Finding, Clerical Team, Technical Assistants (TSAs) and Human Services Aides (HSAs).
- Planned, organized, assigned, directed, and evaluated implementation by line staff of major children and family services delivery programs across a large geographical service area.
- Collaborates with other Assistant Regional Administrators to provide a consistent framework of children and family services policies and procedures.
- Developed and maintained effective public relations with County departments, public and private agencies, civic groups, and the community.
- Provides direct specialized assistance to the Regional Administrator and is frequently called upon to provide coverage or represent the Regional Administrator in the regional office and at various meetings throughout the Department.
- Performed additional regional tasks for the Director and Regional Administrator.
Supervising Children’s Social Worker
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Santa Clarita
10.2010 - 04.2016
- Supervise an Emergency Response (ER) and Emergency Response Training Unit.
- Supervised CSWs conducting investigative interviews with children, families, collateral family members, law enforcement officials, and other professionals to assess and identify child abuse.
- Review CSW’s court reports, case plans, SDM, investigative narratives, casework and documentation.
- Supervise a staff of 7 social workers and an HSA.
- Establish protocols and control logs to ensure compliance.
- Implement new DCFS initiatives such as the Core Practice Model.
- Possess strong knowledge of Federal and State laws, regulations and court procedures as well as child safety/departmental policies and procedures.
- Conduct trainings for staff on policy and procedures, write performance evaluations.
- Attend Team Decision Making (TDM) and Child Family Team (CFT) meetings.
- Collaborated with Juvenile Dependency Court, foster family agencies, school officials, medical staff, and relative care providers to ensure child safety.
- Track different statistics for administration such as weekly service, detention, overtime, hospitalizations date dashboard and other various reports that required organization and monitoring.
- Lead Coach for the coaching and mentoring initiative.
- Collaborate on various work groups: Warrant work group, ER Investigative Narrative, Remapping Group, HSA, CFT Implementation, ER steering committee and expert matter for HSA.
- Initiated monthly SCSW meetings to address office protocol and improve outcomes.
- Participated in creating the inter-office policy on POE and the functions of the ISWs.
- Assisted with ER referral backlogs in the West LA and Palmdale DCFS offices including training staff regarding ER policy and requirements.
- Participated in SARB and policy review meetings, communicating with public and DCFS staff regarding policy and required changes.
Children’s Social Worker III Dependency Investigator
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Santa Clarita
04.2007 - 10.2010
- Conducted thorough investigations using detailed interviews and collateral contacts.
- Presented evidence supporting the allegations of abuse or neglect.
- Crafted comprehensive court reports including PRC, 388, and 26 Guardianship reports to inform judicial decisions.
- Evaluated prospective caregivers and completed PRI reports recommending placement.
- Followed up on Due Diligence searches, ICWA notices and amended court petitions.
- Gathered supporting documentation requested by Court and made recommendations.
- Facilitated ongoing communication with county counsel and attorneys to address and resolve case issues effectively.
- Delivered testimony in court to advocate for Department's position and ensure accurate representation of case facts.
Children’s Social Worker III Intensive Services Worker (ISW)
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Belvedere & Santa Clarita
04.2006 - 04.2007
- Stabilized Court cases and identified a family’s needs.
- Provided intensive services to families following a detention.
- Participated in Team Decision Making meetings, provided referrals, and created case plans.
- Established visitation schedules in compliance with court orders.
- Assisted in school enrollment and participated in IEP meetings.
- Discussed concurrent planning with families and collected necessary documents.
- Assessed relative caregiver homes for placement and replaced children, if necessary.
- Provided input into the development of the in-house protocol for Points of Engagement /ISW function in the Belvedere and Santa Clarita office.
Children’s Social Worker II-III Emergency Response CSW
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Belvedere
09.2001 - 01.2006
- Investigated referrals that involved allegations of abuse and neglect.
- Evaluated risk and safety levels and delivered necessary services.
- Completed detention reports, case documentation, placement paperwork, and face-to-face contacts to ensure compliance with child welfare regulations.
- Utilized CWS/CMS software for case management.
- Collaborated and worked with Juvenile Dependency Court, law enforcement, DCFS staff, school officials, medical staff, care providers and other professionals in an ongoing effort to ensure child safety.
- Conducted staff training on emergency response policies and procedures, utilizing engaging presentations to enhance understanding and adherence.
- Law Enforcement Liaison out stationed at Montebello Police Department.
- Healthy Start School Liaison, LAUSD District J out stationed at Nimitz Middle School.
- Worked in collaboration with the Mart Unit, task force and law enforcement.
- Developed and delivered presentations with handouts to law enforcement agencies, schools, and parents on mandated reporting, child abuse and neglect, and corporal punishment, promoting community awareness and engagement.
- Participated in Student Attendance Review Board meetings (SARB).
- Supervised staff and provided training for new employees.
Children’s Social Worker I Continuing Services/Family to Family Unit
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Belvedere
09.2000 - 01.2001
- Investigated and evaluated cases of abused children and their families.
- Supervised and monitored progress of children and families with court-ordered and voluntary case plans, ensuring compliance and promoting positive outcomes.
- Developed case plans to identify needs and strengths of children and families.
- Developed court reports and provided recommendations regarding welfare of children and families to Juvenile Dependency Court, influencing case decisions.
- Maintained a caseload of 40 + children in a continuing services unit.
- Maintained a caseload of 45 + children in a continuing services unit.
- Conducted twice a month face-to-face contacts with families and documented it in CWS/CMS timely.
- Contributed to MCPC meetings, fostering collaboration among stakeholders to improve child safety initiatives.
- Assisted in preparing annual Christmas Party for Bell families in the Family to Family Program.
- Interacted and worked with Juvenile Dependency Court, school officials, medical staff, foster parents, relative care providers and other professionals in an ongoing effort to ensure child safety.
Education
MSW Program -
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05-1992
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Spanish
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA05-1991
Skills
- Child welfare expertise
- Crisis management
- Program implementation
- Administrative management
- High-volume workload management
- Community engagement
- Cross-agency collaboration
- Goal planning
- Team leadership and building
- Staff development
- Organizational skills
- Leadership and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional communication
- Conflict resolution
- Public presentation
- Bilingual: Spanish
Accomplishments
- 2025 Director's Employee Recognition Team Award for Exceeding Expectations on all Federal Measures
- Partnerships for Well Being Institute Collaboration and Integration Award Santa Clarita DCFS Management Team - Reduce caseloads by 60% and not youth in STRTPs
Timeline
Assistant Regional Administrator
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
05.2016 - Current
Supervising Children’s Social Worker
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
10.2010 - 04.2016
Children’s Social Worker III Dependency Investigator
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
04.2007 - 10.2010
Children’s Social Worker III Intensive Services Worker (ISW)
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
04.2006 - 04.2007
Children’s Social Worker II-III Emergency Response CSW
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
09.2001 - 01.2006
Children’s Social Worker I Continuing Services/Family to Family Unit
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
09.2000 - 01.2001
MSW Program -
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Spanish
Loyola Marymount University