“I am truly blessed to be part of this movement of helping kids to succeed. It inspires me as a father and keeps me on my feet. I have been in this field for almost 7 years now and every day I have seen struggles being conquered by every kid that I have worked with. My encouragement to every kid here at the Center and outside is that our PAST cannot dictate of who we want to become in the FUTURE! We have a CHOICE so make it COUNT!”
– Lee Paleafei, San Diego Center for Children C2 Counselor
Our Residential Treatment Program, nationally accredited by The Joint Commission, provides intensive short-term therapeutic residential care to children and teens, ages 6 to 18, who are struggling with a variety of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
Caring and dedicated staff ensure children and teens in our care receive highly individualized and uniquely designed services to meet their therapeutic goals. Additionally, these amazing staff members prepare youth to continue their treatment success when they transition back into their home, community and school environment.
Earlier this year, 24 staff counselors were promoted to our Counselor 2 (C2) position. Through continuous role modeling and a trauma-informed lens, the demanding role of a C2 is to provide physical care, social and moral guidance, and the numerous skills and tools to help youth under our 24/7 care and supervision overcome significant challenges.
In addition to focusing on their important day-to-day roles, these counselors worked extremely hard to complete multiple tests and trainings in pursuit of this notable promotion. In their new role as C2 counselors, staff members will also help train new counselor recruits and offer mentorship to staff.
The Center’s ability to provide a Career Path Program for Residential counselors, which is coupled with a monetary bonus and career development opportunities, was made possible by a generous gift from former Center Board of Trustees Chairperson, Dr. Keith Wilson, and a wonderful company match by Takeda California. Due to their transformational giving and shared commitment to staff retention, the Center will work toward promoting a total of 40 counselors after their first-year anniversary and 35 counselors in their second-year anniversary.
