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In Memoriam: James Karls, 80

By Cynthia Monticue on October 3, 2008 12:56 PM

USC alum James Karls, who started the first mental health clinics in central California and created social work’s first diagnostic system for evaluating social functioning problems, died June 29 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 80.

“His work paved the way for clinical social work to be recognized as a legitimate profession, and all social workers are grateful for his work,” said Janlee Wong, executive director of the California chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

After serving in World War II, Karls began his 30-year career in public mental health services. He started the first mental health clinics in California’s central valley before becoming a director of many mental health programs in California and in the California State Department of Mental Health.

Perhaps Karls’ greatest contribution to social work was his development of the “person-in-environment” assessment system, along with Karin Wandrei, which allowed social workers to distinguish themselves from other mental health professions.

The system helps social workers describe, classify and code problems of social functioning, giving them a common language for communicating client problems. The system is built on the social work theory that the environment affects the person, and social workers can affect the environment to make situations better for individuals, families and communities.

Since its inception, the system has been computerized and translated into eight languages and is still actively used as a teaching tool around the world.

Karls was a lifelong National Association of Social Workers member, serving in many capacities, including president of the California chapter. He also was president of the Santa Barbara Mental Health Association.

At USC, Karls was a part-time faculty member and a board member of the California Social Welfare Archives, an organization that operates under the auspices of the School of Social Work, with volunteers dedicated to preserving the history of social work in California.

In 2002, he helped the group establish the California Social Work Hall of Distinction to honor the contributions of innovative and pioneering social work leaders in California. Karls was inducted this year.

He received numerous accolades over his lifetime, including National Association of Social Workers lifetime achievement awards and the lifetime national recognition award from the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

In June, he was the recipient of the 2008 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award for his contributions in advancing the public image of social work.

Karls earned his Ph.D. from the USC School of Social Work in 1978.

Karls is survived by his wife Diane; son Paul and his wife Mary; and grandchildren Mikayla and Brandon.