Name
Lia Velazquez
Title
Case Manager
Program
Home Study and Post-Release Services
Region
Western Region, Los Angeles
Time with Cayuga Centers
Since 2024
Lia Velazquez, a dedicated Case Manager with Cayuga Centers’ Los Angeles Home Study and Post-Release Services (HS/PRS) team, brings both heart and insight to her role. After nearly a year with the agency, Lia reflects on the journey that led her to a career in social services—and the impact she strives to make each day.
About Home Study and Post-Release Services (HS/PRS)
Cayuga Centers HS/PRS program ensures the ongoing support, long-term safety, and well-being of unaccompanied children ages 0-17 prior to, during, and after they have been released from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to parents or sponsors in the United States.
Why Lia chose a career in social work
Growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border, Lia witnessed the barriers and gaps in support that many families in her community faced. Those early experiences inspired her to pursue a human services career centered on bridging those divides.
Fluent in Spanish, Lia often finds that simply speaking in a client’s native language can be a powerful tool for building trust. The smiles she receives in return affirm that even the smallest moments of connection matter deeply.
“I wanted to be someone who could connect individuals with the help they need. Helping these families is important to me, and I’m passionate about being a source of support for them.”
→ Click here to learn more about Cayuga Centers HS/PRS Program
A Day in the Life
Lia’s workday follows a structured yet varied rhythm. Her mornings typically start with team meetings, where colleagues exchange updates and insights on policies and cases. Afternoons are dedicated to case documentation and preparation, with occasional travel for in-person visits. While each day can bring new challenges, Lia thrives in the dynamic nature of her work.
“No two days are exactly the same, but the constant is knowing I’m doing something meaningful,” she notes.
Coordinating a national team of clinicians and case managers is no easy task. Because the families we serve are spread across multiple states, many HS/PRS staff travel by plane each week and navigate tight schedules and complex logistics. Lia and her team rely on clear communication and flexibility to make sure families get what they need.
“We lean on each other for support, whether it’s asking for help with a case or just navigating challenges. There’s no ‘I’ in team, and our office really lives that out.”
A Passion for Impact
At the heart of Lia’s role is her favorite part of the job—connecting families to critical resources. For her, it’s about more than checking off tasks; it’s about empowering people to thrive.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the joy on their faces when they finally receive something they’ve been waiting for,” she says. “Knowing I played a part in that is why I do what I do.”
Lia Velazquez is more than a Case Manager—she is a compassionate connector, an advocate, and a powerful example of what it means to lead with empathy and purpose.
