L. Joanna Alcaraz, MSW

Ms. Alcaraz is a bilingual Senior Protective Services at County of San Diego’s Child Welfare Services since 2013, she has experience in Emergency Response Investigations, Standby (afterhours) Investigations, Continuing Services, Hotline Coach, and the Indian Specialty Unit. Currently, she is an internal Practice Coach developing curriculum, holding multiple learning circles, unit coaching, and individual staff coaching in the use of Safety Organized Practice, case planning, SMART goals and objectives, Structured Decisions Making, professional development, quality supervision, safety mappings, conducting rigorous balanced assessments, safety planning, and much more. Her role is to meet the learning needs of the county, program, group, and individual through coaching, trainings, and field observations. Currently, in her county she is the LGBTQ+ workgroup and representative in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is passionate about supporting best practices with families, addressing disproportionality, and teaming with tribal and community partners to better serve communities.

Prior to being hired at the county, Ms. Alcaraz worked as a community organizer for 7 years with marginalized and multicultural communities. Where she focused on developing community leaders and curriculum for the development of community members. She received her bachelors of Social Welfare from University of California, Berkeley and a masters in Social Work focus on Administration from San Diego State University.