Driven to Transform: Building Stronger Teams for Youth Care Excellence
I started Empire Training and Consultation
Because I saw a significant gap in the quality of training and support for staff working with children who have serious emotional challenges. Early in my career as a counselor at San Francisco General Hospital in a locked residential treatment program for emotionally disturbed teenagers, I quickly realized that the training for new staff—particularly counselors—was not adequate.
While we were given some basic tools to work with youth in crisis, there was a lack of emphasis on evidence-based practices, understanding vicarious trauma, and building resilience among staff. More importantly, there was little focus on helping staff understand the root causes of the challenging behaviors exhibited by the youth we served.
This experience was eye-opening.
I saw firsthand how inadequate preparation and support for staff could affect both their well-being and the quality of care they provided. I realized that without proper training, staff could easily become overwhelmed, experience burnout, or even leave the field altogether. This not only hurt the staff but also impacted the vulnerable youth who rely on these caregivers for stability, guidance, and emotional healing.
I wanted to change that. I wanted to create a space where new staff entering the field—and as many current staff as possible—could receive comprehensive, evidence-based training that would prepare them for the difficult, but rewarding work of supporting youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. My goal has always been to ensure that staff have the knowledge and tools they need to stay in the field longer, thrive in their roles, and deliver better care for the vulnerable youth we serve.
There was an urgent need.
Additionally, I saw an urgent need to professionalize this line of work. The staff who spend the most day to day time with these youth are essential to the healing process, yet they often receive little training, recognition, supervision or support. Through Empire Training and Consultation, I aim to raise awareness about the importance of these roles and help agencies and organizations understand the value of investing in their staff. By offering ongoing professional development, supporting staff growth, and emphasizing the critical nature of the work they do, I believe we can create a more sustainable and effective workforce.
Ultimately, my mission is to make sure that those who are dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth have the training, support, and respect they deserve. By strengthening the staff, we strengthen the care provided, and that’s what drives everything we do at Empire Training and Consultation.
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Endorsed by Thought Leaders
Daren Dickson, LMFT
Chief Culture Officer at Valor Collegiate Academy