Consulting Advocacy and Therapeutic Services, LLC
Supporting Policy to Practice for Aging and Adult Social Services
About Us:
Our Philosophy
At Consulting, Advocacy and Therapeutic Services, LLC, designing curriculum, operationalizing policies, facilitating implementation, and professional coaching are the keys to unlocking a world of opportunities.
Our Expertise
Valerie Smith, LCSW, is the sole owner of CATS, LLC and is also currently employed as a program associate with the non-profit organization, California Child Family Policy Institute (CFPIC).
Valerie is a retired Adult Protective Services Manager and a retired Professor of Social Work at San Jose State University. She has over 25 years of experience in Aging and Adult Social Services in California, and a deep understanding of the complex and changing needs landscape.
While not all projects and presentations on this website were completed, as part of CATS, LLC, they are included to demonstrate Valerie's knowledge, skills, experience, and contributions, and subject matter expertise to California's Aging and Adult social services, and the Social Work profession. Valerie is committed to social justice, best practices, and empowerment. And she stays up-to-date on the latest trends and developments to provide the most effective strategies for success.
PROJECTS and PRESENTATIONS
Curriculum Development
CATS, LLC, contracted with the Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI), a training program of the Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of the San Diego State University School of Social Work. And developed the following curricula for APS Supervisors:
1) Critical Thinking for APS Supervisors - State of Kansas 2024 (not publicly available)
2) APS Supervisor: Frameworks for Engaging in Difficult Conversations
3) Critical Analysis for APS Supervisors - Coming Soon!
Presentations
- National Adult Protective Services Annual Conference, September 2025 - The Art of Insight, Cultivating Critical Analysis Habits
- National Adult Protective Services Annual Conference, September 2024 - APS MSW Stipend Pilot
- National Adult Protective Services Association, June 2024 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day co-presenter
- American Society on Aging Annual Conference, April 2022 - Housing is the Key to Independence
- California Department of Housing and Homelessness, Home Safe Learning Forum, Fall 2019 - Strategies, Identification, Referral prioritization
- Testified at the State Senate budget committee hearing, March 2019
- Created and presented APS Annual Reports 2015-2024 to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Projects and Collaborations
- Research Article: Are Racial Groups Associated with Recurrence of Adult Protective Services? https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01488376.2023.2299034 January 7, 2024
- Created the Santa Clara County APS Home Safe pilot Grant 2018, awarded over $700,00 for 3 years
- Created the APS Mental Health Connections Program pilot and MOU -2013
Committees and Leadership
2021-2024 California Master Plan for Aging, Elder Justice Coordinating Council (by appointment)
2018 - 2024 Chair and Grant Coordinator for Santa Clara County HomeSafe program
2018-2019 Chair, California Welfare Directors Association subcommittee:
- Adult Protective Services, Protective Services Operations Committee
2017-2018 Co-Chair of the California Welfare Directors Association subcommittee
- Adult Protective Services, Protective Services Operations Committee (PSOC)
2008-2012 Chair, Santa Clara County Financial Abuse Specialist Team
Memberships
National Association of Social Work (NASW)
National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)
California Elder Justice Coalition
California Welfare Directors Association subcommittees:
- Adult Protective Services, the Protective Services Operations Committee
- In Home Supportive Services, the Long Term Care Operations Committee (LTCOPs)
California, Public Administrator, Public Guardian, Public Conservator ( CAPAPGPC)
Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Death Review Team
Santa Clara County Elder Death Review Team
Santa Clara County Financial Abuse Specialist Team
Professional Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA
- Retired APS Senior Program Manager, Santa Clara County, CA
- Retired Professor, School of Social Work, San Jose State University
Professional Development and Certificate programs:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Literacy Certificate, San Jose State University, 2025
- Mental Health First Aid, San Jose State University, 2021
- Anti-Racism Summit, San Jose State University, 2020
- Online Teaching Certificate, San Jose State University, 2020
- American Society on Aging- Leadership Institute, 2018
- Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC)- Executive Development Program 2007
- Bay Area Academy-Foundations of Supervision 2007
- County of Santa Clara-Performance Management 2006
- County of Santa Clara-Leadership Seminar 2005
- Field Instructor for San Jose State University MSW students 2000-2004
Contact Us
Consulting, Advocacy and Therapeutic Services, LLC
