2025 STars hall of fame

Melissa Lloyd

Deputy Director, Child Protective Services for Sacramento County

Holst/Coyle/Carmichael ES | Churchill MS | Mira Loma HS

Melissa Lloyd began her professional career 25 years ago. In that time, she has worked in a variety of roles in the Public Child Welfare sector. Melissa started her career as a front-line Social Worker in Sacramento County Child Protective Services in 2000. Before stepping into the role of CPS Deputy Director in 2018, Melissa held leadership roles as Division Manager of Emergency Response & Informal Supervision and as Program Manager in Permanency & Kinship. In 2011, with a desire to learn about a state-run Child Welfare system, Melissa took a two-year leave from service in Sacramento to work in Portland, Oregon as a Social Worker in Emergency Response Investigations and as a Family Engagement Specialist.

Melissa holds a robust commitment to serving children and families. She is a fierce advocate for family inclusion in decision-making, and a strong proponent of partnering with community. Melissa has an unwavering focus on, and is dedicated to, strengthening families and creating and supporting efforts to prevent child abuse. Melissa is passionate about serving families via effective and appropriate assessment of the needs of children and their parents, and of all families who come to the attention of the child welfare system. She enjoys her current role as it allows her to provide vision, education, support and accountability toward improving outcomes for children and families. 

Melissa finds balance for her busy “work world” by spending time with her life partner, Dan, and her family that includes several nieces and nephews whom she credits for helping her to remain child and family focused.

Melissa holds Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work degrees, both of which she earned at California State University, Sacramento.