My teenage son has a mental/emotional disorder, which also led to substance abuse problems. We were at our wits end & he wasn't responding to outpatient care. It was too dangerous for him to be alone because he was suicidal, and the hospital would try to discharge him asap (insurance purposes). We were finally able to get help from the county mental health & school district, and he was admitted to SDCC. It is very sad to not have him in the home, but our hearts are overwhelmingly grateful for the care he is receiving at SDCC. He has been clean for 6 months now, and finally responding to medications. He is doing really well in the structured environment they provide. While in one breath he HATES it there, in another he says he knows he needs it, and it is helping him. He does tell me that some of the staff 'sucks'...but mostly has good things to say about them. While he isn't having 'fun', he is learning how to interact with other kids with emotional issues, he sees them have outbursts and in turn tries to control his own. During some of our visits, or when we pick up/drop off from a home visit, we have witnessed some pretty extreme outbursts from a few kids. Personally I thought the staff was way too lenient on them! I know there are laws in California about restraining the kids, but when they start destroying property I think it crosses the line when they aren't able to restrain them. My son has told me about some of the kids getting put in their rooms for time outs. He also tells me what the kid did wrong to be put there, and he (and I) both think the kid got off too easy! My son has the most awesome therapist that has gotten him to open up and be honest, in a very short amount of time. He has found a few staff members he trusts enough to open up to. This is SO important because he has had such a hard time opening up. They are helping him learn coping skills that we never knew how to teach him, because his issues were so extensive we needed the professionals to step in. The SDCC is VERY proactive in positive reinforcement with the kids. I have personally witnessed the awards ceremonies and it is so touching to see the sparkle in the kids' eyes when they earn the awards, it literally moves me and my husband (and many people) to tears. My son has earned several awards and it actually brought up a lot of his negative self-talk behaviors, (telling himself he didn't deserve it etc) & the staff was there on site to help him re-frame his thoughts and emotionally accept the praise. We were SO torn about putting him in a residential facility. Now I feel it is truly an answer to many prayers. They also provide weekly family therapy for us. It has been an immense help for all of us, including my younger son (all of this has been so stressful for him). I know this review is getting very wordy, I guess the point I want to get across is this place has been a lifesaver for our family, and so many of the kids. I personally know that my son would not be with us now if we had not gotten their help. He was attempting suicide often and we weren't getting the help he needed with the hospital inpatient & outpatient programs. I cannot say enough good things about the SDCC. I am realistic in knowing there are a few staff that aren't the "best". But really, you get that in any job situation, and I can imagine how hard it would be to deal with these kids 24/7. (I only dealt with ONE of them & it about did me in!) I know my son would be more than open about the 'cruel' punishment if they received that. His opinion is when any of them act out they truly DO deserve the punishment they receive, and that often some of the kids deserve way more 'punishment' than they get. (After smashing TVS, breaking all the dishes, throwing microwaves off the counter, punching holes in walls, and hitting vehicles with a big tree branch, etc). I will also say they have the best programs for these kids, my son has seriously gotten SO much benefit therapeutically through their music, sports, and poetry groups. He has enjoyed all of the outtings the staff takes them on. I want to do all that I can to support this place and help 'pay forward' the all of the good they have brought to our family.
Review from Guidestar