Trainer Biography
Bill James, LCSW
Bill James started working with teens in residential treatment in 1989. He graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Psychology in 1984 and from San Diego State University with a Master’s in Social Work in 1993.
In 1993 he went to work for San Diego County’s Child Welfare Services, where he has worked Investigations, Voluntary Services, Continuing Services, and the Indian Specialty Unit.
From 2002 to 2014 he supervised a unit in Residential Services, serving the needs of children and families facing behavioral health challenges, and supervising staff working on licensure, helping them hone their interviewing and clinical skills with a variety evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing. In 2011, he contributed to two books, one on Motivational Interviewing and Social Work practice and the other on Programs and Interventions for Maltreated Children and Families at Risk. He was also among the early adopters and trainers of Safety Organized Practice (a solution focused practice model) in San Diego.
From 2014 to 2019 he served as a Supervising Practice Consultant, supervising a remote team of Practice Consultants at the Academy for Professional Excellence, in Child Welfare Development Services. He coached and trained staff in the counties that the Academy serves and has developed curriculum centered on creating healthy organizational climate and solution focused practice.