Over the past twenty-four years, Cynthia Heard has been an intricate partner in the field of social services. As a strong Child Welfare supporter and executive leader, Cynthia worked hand in hand with Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect to create a nationally acclaimed community and educational “Models” that help create systemic change for at-risk youth and families across the country.

Cynthia has helped build and secure funding for collaborative child welfare initiatives, building private /public partnerships, educational partnerships, and innovative continuums focusing on at-risk and foster youth throughout Los Angeles, New York, Florida, and Washington DC. She has developed and structured national models that are replicable and now demonstrate success and innovation.  Cynthia Heard helped pioneer many of the social service models as a leader of the Los Angeles County Family Preservation, Wrap Around, Family Support Programs Models through the Dept. of Children and Family Services. She worked closely with state, federal, and county entities in developing multiple program initiatives to include HUD, HACLA, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Health and Human Services, SAMSA, Veterans Administration, CDBG, Dept. of Public Social Services and Dept. of Mental Health to create change for foster, at-risk youth and families.

Cynthia received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology from the University of Southern California and went on to pursue her master’s degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. Since 1989, she has worked diligently to facilitate social changes within at-risk communities throughout Los Angeles County and across America.