Cathy Burgos - Director

Cathy Burgos is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Director of Miami-Dade County’s Community Services Department (CSD), a newly unified agency combining the Community Action and Human Services Departments and Juvenile Services Departments to streamline services, eliminate silos, and expand access under the County’s WISE 305 and No Wrong Door initiatives. CSD’s broad portfolio delivers a comprehensive continuum of care that supports residents from birth through older adulthood, ensuring access to essential services that promote safety, stability and emotional well-being at every stage of life.

Previously, Ms. Burgos served in Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Cabinet as Chief Community Services Officer, where she oversaw a diverse portfolio that included the Departments of Community Action and Human Services, Cultural Affairs, Libraries, Juvenile Services and Animal Services. She advanced the Mayor’s No Wrong Door initiative, breaking down barriers and building stronger partnerships across government and community providers. Prior to this, Ms. Burgos was appointed as the Director of the Juvenile Services Department, where she drew on more than two decades of experience to empower at-risk youth and their families. Her leadership and vision have been recognized both nationally and internationally, culminating in an invitation to address the United Nations, where she shared Miami-Dade’s innovative juvenile justice reform model and its success in reducing youth incarceration while increasing opportunities for positive outcomes.

Ms. Burgos holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida International University and is a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers. Her dedication to excellence and commitment to service has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious In the Company of Women Award in Health and Human Services (2018), the Fuel Her Fire Excellence Award in Government and Civics (2024) and the Health Care Champion Government Advocacy Award from the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2025). She currently serves on the boards of both the Children’s Trust and the Homeless Trust, continuing her lifelong commitment to ensuring every Miami-Dade resident has the opportunity to thrive.