The San Diego Center for Children offers the highest level of care available in San Diego County for children ages 6 to 18.

These programs, known as Level 12 and Level 14, treat children whose behavioral and/or emotional problems are severe enough to require placement out of a home environment in a highly-structured intensive residential setting.

Children live in cottages with no more than eight (8) residents, and are supervised and supported 24 hours a day, by trained Child Development Counselors (CDCs).

For immediate assistance call the Center at 858-277-9550

Sign up for On Center, our free Newsletter!

"The center was like a big safety net that came and scooped him out of the mess we were in. He would have ended up in juvenile hall and learned more bad habits if something fantastic like the center hadn’t come along. We worked hard to get him in, but what about the kids who have no parents to push for them. I’m sure there’s a trail of those who didn’t get the chance he did."

"The Center for Children is doing what I can’t and filling in those blanks for me… But they’re doing it not only for my child, but for my family and the community."

"He learned life lessons at the center. For me, it was someone holding your hand through the hard times, I’m sure it was like that for him too. We were bonded before, but that bond wasn’t healthy-- it was shattered. He respects me now and can see how dedicated I was to him-- then and now. I am just so grateful that he had the opportunity to go to the center it saved him. It saved us really."

"A tragic life can be turned around and you get your kid back."

"He’s super bright and now has a future in front of him. There’s so much bad he could have done. He is going to offer a lot he has so much to offer… we have a hope for the future. Before, he didn’t. He doesn’t need that level of treatment anymore and now he’s ready to move on."