Karla Morales, MSW

Karla Morales, MSW has over 19 years of experience in child welfare services and is currently a Protective Services Supervisor in the Emergency Response unit. Since her employment in 2002, with San Diego County, Child Welfare Services (CWS), Ms. Morales has worked as a bilingual case worker in a variety of programs including Emergency Response, Drug Endangered Children’s unit, Court Intervention, Continuing Services, and Adoptions. Ms. Morales has also served as the Intern Coordinator as part of the CWS Training Unit where she oversaw Bachelor and Master level Social Work Interns and assisted with new hires as part of the Social Worker Initial Training. Ms. Morales also served as a Policy Analyst in Policy and Program Support where she updated and developed CWS policies for social workers based on federal and state legislation. As a policy analyst, Ms. Morales worked closely with the San Diego Court Judicial system, county, children’s and parents attorneys as well provided trainings on court procedures and child welfare policy to CWS staff and to community partners. Ms. Morales has also presented at conferences on the Cultural Responsiveness Academy at the CalSWEC Title IV E Summit in California, Successfulness Reunification of Families at the Early Childhood Mental Health Conference in San Diego, Ca. and Engaging Families at the National Title IV-E Roundtable conference in Galveston, Texas.

Her areas of expertise include investigations, family engagement, safety and risk assessment, court report writing, policy development and training. She currently supervises a team of five social workers responsible for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. Ms. Morales is committed to supporting child safety, family prosperity, and social justice while promoting a workplace culture characterized by reflection, appreciation and ongoing learning.

Ms. Morales received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from San Diego Christian College in 2002, and her Master’s degree in Social Work from San Diego State University in 2014.

Ms. Morales enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and meeting new people.