Cathy Burgos, an experienced and accomplished Licensed Clinical Social Worker, was appointed by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava as Chief Community Services Officer in February 2024. She oversees a critical portfolio, including Community Action and Human Services, Public Housing and Community Development, Cultural Affairs, Libraries, Juvenile Services and Animal Services. Prior to her current position, Ms. Burgos was director of the Juvenile Services Department (JSD), where she dedicated more than two decades to empowering at-risk youth and their families through her role as a social worker, largely through her development of powerful juvenile justice prevention, diversion and support services. Ms. Burgos’ exemplary leadership and commitment has been recognized at speaking engagements throughout the nation and overseas, culminating with an invitation to speak at the United Nations to highlight the JSD’s innovative Juvenile Justice Reform Model and its extraordinary success in the Miami-Dade County community. By working effectively with Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare partners, she has contributed to shaping successful programs including the Civil Citation Program, JSD’s Prevention Initiative, Scholarship Program and Youth Job Development Program. Through these programs, Ms. Burgos has been instrumental in helping reduce juvenile arrests in Miami-Dade by more than 80 percent during a 20-year period, saving the community millions annually and giving youth the gift of a fresh start. In 2018, Ms. Burgos was a recipient of the prestigious “In the Company of Women” award for the category of Health and Human Services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida International University and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Term: Serves as long as designated by Mayor of Miami-Dade County