Biographies

Juliann B. Edwards is the Executive Director of Miami-Dade Community Action Agency (CAA). As Executive Director of CAA, Mrs. Edwards is responsible for the overall supervision, administration and operation of this multi-faceted social services delivery system that encompasses the operation of the largest Community Action Agency and Head Start/Early Head Start Program in the Southeastern United States.

Locally, CAA provides self-sufficiency initiatives under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding; advocacy and leadership training initiatives, employment training and educational/vocational services for young adults enrolled in the Greater Miami Service Corps; and a variety of programs that address the needs of the elderly. Other program areas include residential home rehabilitation and weatherization programs for low-income individuals and families; community outreach and citizen participation programs.

Mrs. Edwards is directly responsible for overseeing a departmental operating budget of $102 million, with an additional $3 million allocated for capital development projects, as well as the supervision of 654 employees and more than 250 volunteers and temporary employees.

As part of her charge, she provides policy direction and staff support to the Community Action Agency's tripartite 45 member Board of Directors; coordinates all Board related activities, ensures the implementation of Board policy directives; and directs continual research and evaluation of internal programs and operations to improve overall departmental efficiency and effectiveness.

Her tenure with Miami-Dade County spans more than 16 years. She has held a variety of positions which have provided her with valuable insight and experience into the public sector; with a proven ability to administer and facilitate the delivery of comprehensive social services that address the broad range of issues presented by special needs populations.

She has an impressive background in social services which includes monitoring federal, state and local grants, and providing oversight of administrative social service functions which includes homeless policy issues, and social service planning and organizational administration. 

Mrs. Edwards also assists with providing management support to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) which administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), State Housing Incentive Program (SHIP), and the Documentary Surtax Program.

Mrs. Edwards previously served as the Assistant Executive Director of Miami-Dade's Homeless Trust where she provided departmental leadership and direction in the administration and operation of the homeless continuum of care, implementation of the Dade County Homeless Plan, and oversight and administration of a unique local food and beverage tax dedicated to the homeless.

She also provided direct oversight of the department's contract division that included the development, implementation, and monitoring of more than 112 contracts valued at more than $19 million dollars.

She was a participant in the County's Management Training program and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Florida International University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration also from Florida International University. Mrs. Edwards is married and the proud mother of three girls; she is also a dedicated member of the historic St. Agnes' Episcopal Church in Miami.