By Sadie Coburn
When Kristen moved from the East Coast to San Diego three years ago, she brought with her a passion for connecting with others and deep commitment to helping those in need. As the Manager of Training & Quality Practice at San Diego Center for Children, Kristen supports the growth and education of all Residential and Academy staff. Training starts off with a week of onboarding, followed by a week of shadowing, and continues throughout an employee’s time at the Center with monthly instruction and consultations.
Kristen’s team ensures that every employee has the right tools to support youth. “We train our staff to ask not, ‘What’s wrong with this behavior?’ but rather, ‘What does this child need?’” Kristen explains. “When we understand what’s behind a child’s actions, we can offer connection instead of consequence.”
Though Kristen no longer works in a direct therapy role, her clinical background continues to play a crucial role in her work. Kristen recalled an experience involving a teen who had been labeled “willfully defiant.” Her team attempted to understand the root cause of the teen’s behavior and discovered that the teen had been exposed to alcohol in utero. This changed the entire trajectory of the teen’s treatment. According to Kristen, “The family shifted from frustration to support. The kid got an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. And we all witnessed the power of letting go of assumptions in favor of compassion.”
Kristen’s dedication to fostering hope is evident in every aspect of her work. Training covers everything from diagnosis to safety protocols to the importance of self-care. The ultimate goal being to prepare and empower staff to build strong, supportive relationships with youth.
What continues to inspire Kristen is the incredible resilience of the youth. “Kids keep trying. Even after being in their fifth placement, even when they feel hopeless, they still show up. If someone is beside them, they try again.”
This spirit of togetherness is at the heart of Kristen’s work. “Trauma happens in relationships,” she says, “so healing must happen there too.” This is the same philosophy that now guides the San Diego Center for Children’s HOPE Initiative (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experience). By focusing on relationships, play, engagement, and emotional regulation, the Center is building a foundation where every child has the opportunity to heal and thrive.
“I thought I’d miss direct care,” Kristen says, “but this work, training and leading across the organization, lets me make an even bigger impact. I love it.”