Miami-Dade County commissioners accepted Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s appointment of Kathy Burgos as director of the newly consolidated Department of Community Services, effective Oct. 1.

The mayor presented Burgos to the board, saying the consolidation of the former Community Action Human Services and Juvenile Services departments will “improve efficiency, streamline operations and expand access to resident services” under a “No Wrong Door” approach. Burgos, who is a licensed clinical social worker and an executive with more than 25 years of experience, thanked the mayor, commissioners and department staff and pledged to continue cross‑department collaboration.

The board discussed the consolidation briefly during the mayor’s presentation and then acknowledged Burgos, who spoke to department staff in the chamber. Commissioners and the mayor characterized the consolidation as intended to reduce barriers for residents seeking disability services, Head Start and other family supports.

No roll-call vote or tally was recorded on the public transcript at the moment Burgos was introduced; the county readouts and the mayor’s remarks indicate the appointment was accepted during the meeting.

The administration said the consolidated department will pursue a family‑centered, data‑driven model to deliver services across existing programs and to coordinate with other county agencies. Burgos acknowledged predecessors Sonia Grice and Latwan Bess during her remarks and said the new structure gives staff “a unique opportunity to combine our strengths and deliver a seamless, family‑centered” service model.

Looking ahead, commissioners signaled interest in monitoring implementation and service integration as the department moves staff and programs into the single structure.

Proclamation details, budget items and any required implementing ordinances were not discussed in detail at the dais during the appointment presentation.