The new Dean of Students at Casa Pacifica’s Non-Public School, Randy Osuna, shares his journey of building a supportive, family-oriented environment for youth in need.
While working as the Teen Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club, I had a college friend reach out to me, encouraging me to apply at Casa Pacifica. It was a difficult decision, as I had spent six years there and was blessed to be working with a special group of teenagers. After a discussion with my mentor, I decided to apply to see what I could do to help the youth at Casa Pacifica. The thought was that, if I had a change of heart, I could always return to the Boys & Girls Club. That was in 2010.
I started as a behavior specialist, substituted for some of our teachers, and facilitated a classroom while I was in the special education teaching credential program. When offered an opportunity to join the administrative team, I took it.
Over the past 14 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of administrative staff, teachers, clinicians, behavior specialists, para-educators, and 1:1 staff. What we have been able to create here is an environment that others want to be a part of, and most do not want to leave. The love and support we give each other in the Non-Public School (NPS) has resulted in a family-like atmosphere. Our team is aware of this, staff from around the agency who spend time with us have noticed it, and many of our youth, who spend so much time with us, also become part of our NPS family.
For those who know the youth we serve, a family environment is exactly what many of them truly need. The youth we serve are here due to behavioral challenges, and there are various reasons for that. We do everything in our power to let our youth know that in the NPS, they are safe, they are respected, they can be themselves, and they have a support system that will do whatever it takes to help them. Casa Pacifica NPS is a special place, and I feel blessed to look forward to going to work every day. I hope this feeling continues for as long as possible.
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About Casa Pacifica
Headquartered in Camarillo, California, Casa Pacifica is the largest nonprofit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Our nationally accredited programs include residential treatment, therapeutic behavioral services, wraparound care, transitional youth services, school-based mental health services and foster care support, along with a fully certified, diploma-granting Non-Public School serving grades K–12. Casa Pacifica specializes in treating youth facing complex mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. Since 1994, Casa Pacifica has helped transform the lives of nearly 54,600 at-risk children and youth.
For more information or to get involved, email info@casapacifica.org or call 805-366-4040.