At SFCHC, our people are at the heart of our mission to provide quality, compassionate care. This month, we are proud to introduce Cinthya Islas, Director of Care Management, who has over a decade of leadership experience in the social services and mental health fields.
Joining SFCHC in November 2024, Cinthya is a licensed clinical social worker with expertise in individual and group therapy, trauma and holistic care. In her current position, she oversees a 15-member team of behavioral health and case management professionals who assess and address each patient’s unique physical and mental health needs.
Cinthya and her team ensure patients receive integrated medical and behavioral healthcare, along with access to additional community resources, services and support. They play a key role in identifying social determinants of health—such as food and housing insecurity, lack of adequate transportation and language barriers—that may impact a person’s health outcomes.
“Many individuals come to us with complex medical conditions,” said Cinthya. “They may also be experiencing poverty or other crises, leaving them uncertain about their next steps. For example, a person with diabetes might also be struggling with food insecurity or the threat of eviction. We take a whole-person approach that addresses both physical and emotional wellbeing.”
Cinthya, who immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. at age nine, grew up in the San Fernando Valley and is especially devoted to serving low-income and underserved populations. She cares deeply about empowering and uplifting individuals and families most in need, especially those impacted by trauma and violence.
“By integrating behavioral health with primary care, our case managers provide patients with resources and services that go beyond their immediate physical needs” said Cinthya. “SFCHC is a special place because our staff are so highly qualified and go above and beyond to provide the best possible care. ”
Before joining SFCHC, Cinthya served as Program Director for Saving Innocence, a nonprofit dedicated to anti-trafficking efforts and social services. In this role, she contributed to strategic planning, policy development and budget management, while also leading the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. Prior to that, she spent nearly eight years at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County where she developed social services programs from the ground up—supervising social workers and case managers, while directing outreach and training efforts.
Outside of work, Cinthya enjoys reading and being part of a book club, hiking, live music and spending time with her large extended family. She is planning a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru and hopes to one day visit all seven wonders of the world!
Cinthya is fluent in English and Spanish. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.
