Crittenton Center is announcing the hiring of two therapists, Kassie Scorza and Amber Klynsma, to provide critical mental health support for youth at the Transitional Therapeutic Home (aka Youth Emergency Shelter). This expansion is part of our ongoing commitment to trauma-informed care, ensuring that every child who comes through our doors receives the emotional and psychological support they need.
Kassie Scorza, LISW, will serve as the Chief Program Officer for Clinical Services at Crittenton Center. She will provide direct care and clinical oversight to youth living at the Transitional Therapeutic Home, as well as supporting staff across the agency in the Crittenton Center Restart Program- an employee well-being program. Kassie’s background is in providing trauma therapy to crime victims, providing family therapy to youth on probation, and in child development. As a fluent speaker of Spanish and Portuguese, Kassie specializes in providing culturally-sensitive therapeutic interventions to immigrant populations from Mexico, Central and South Americas. “Being able to provide therapy services on-site to kids helps to reduce the barriers to accessing timely mental health care, due to the shortage of providers across the US. Additionally, this position allows me to help staff feel supported in the workplace and assist them in implementing individualized trauma-sensitive interventions for the kids we serve. I am excited to serve alongside the wonderful team of staff as we work together to care for the kids and families in our state!”
Amber Klynsma, LISW and Certified Family Life Educator, has been working in the mental health field since 2010, gaining experience in mental health, substance use, family support services, family relationships and parenting, domestic violence, abuse/neglect, and trauma. She works to utilize a trauma-focused and whole-systems approach with clients and specializes in play therapy. Amber states she is “looking forward to collaborating with staff at Crittenton Center and aiding children in adjustment, regulation, and relationships.”
Erika Fuentes, Crittenton VP for Children and Family Services, states, “We are so grateful for the addition of Kassie and Amber on our team. The goal for our Transitional Therapeutic Home has always gone beyond traditional "shelter" services as we want to be a place for children in crisis to "take a breath" and reset before moving to the next step of their journey. Our team spends their time implementing trauma informed strategies, and with Kassie and Amber guiding the team will only improve how we serve these vulnerable youth. Supporting our team as they support our children is essential for success.”
Crittenton Center’s shelter serves as a refuge for children in crisis, providing not only a safe place to stay, but also comprehensive care to support their emotional and psychological well-being. The addition of Kassie and Amber strengthens our ability to provide high-quality mental health services, furthering our mission to help children heal and thrive.