Staff Biography
Estelina Rivas, MSW, PPSC
CWDS County Consultant - Los Angeles & Riverside
erivas@sdsu.edu
Estelina Rivas is a Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) Consultant at the Academy for Professional Excellence, where she partners with county child welfare agencies to strengthen workforce development and improve outcomes for children and families. With over 15 years of experience, Estelina is dedicated to advancing equity and culturally responsive practices in child welfare and educational systems. Estelina specializes in technical assistance, capacity building, and training strategies that empower professionals to deliver equitable, trauma-informed, and community-centered services.
Beyond her work at the Academy, Estelina is a lecturer in the Social Work Department at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she integrates the power of storytelling to create a community-centered learning environment. Passionate about developing the next generation of social workers, Estelina equips students with the skills to engage in meaningful, client-centered practice.
Estelina holds a BA in Sociology and Education Sciences and an MSW in Public Child Welfare from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Outside of her professional work, Estelina prioritizes joy– whether spending time with loved ones, embarking on spontaneous road trips, or soaking up the warmth from the sun.