Term Expires December 2026 | Trustee Area 4
Alva Alvarez is a dedicated mental health professional with over a decade of experience supporting the mental wellness of children, youth, and families across Orange County. She currently serves as a School Based Mental Health Specialist II for the Santa Ana Unified School District, where she provides direct mental health services, clinical supervision, and consultation to school teams to support student success and well-being.
An Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD) alumna and proud mother to a former AESD student, Alva’s commitment to education and community service is deeply personal. The daughter of immigrant parents and an English learner upon entering kindergarten, she understands firsthand the challenges many students face and is passionate about creating equitable opportunities for all children.
Alva holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Cal State Fullerton. She also carries a Pupil Personnel Services Credential and a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. Her professional journey includes roles with the Orange County Department of Education and Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where she delivered critical mental health services to some of the most vulnerable populations.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Alva specializes in relationship building, program development, and trauma-informed care. Whether leading trainings, mentoring interns, or collaborating with educators and families, she brings empathy, clinical expertise, and a strong sense of purpose to every space she enters. She is looking forward to working with District 4 AESD students, staff, and families and continuing to support and expand on the great work that is already being done there.