Jackie Contreras, Ph.D., Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
Jackie Contreras is the Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), which administers a budget of more than $5B and serves over 4M residents. She remains keenly focused on the timely provision of quality services to both internal and external stakeholders, and transformational efforts to promote economic mobility and anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion.
Prior to joining DPSS, Dr. Contreras served as a Managing Director for Casey Family Programs’ direct service offices where she led policy and practice efforts that included the development and implementation of a functional assessment and a culturally responsive, family-centered practice model grounded in trauma-and healing-informed care. Additionally, she served in various capacities as a child welfare administrator for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and worked as a psychologist and manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Dr. Contreras received her B.A. in psychology from UCLA and her M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University.