‘Get in the beehive!’ Our conversation with Steven Jella

Posted Nov 4, 2021, by Mindi Wisman

Today we feature our latest endeavor: a podcast. As part of our new Foresight Initiative, we are examining how those in child and youth services are tackling current issues and strategically planning for the future.

Our first foray into listening and learning from experts in the field is a conversation with Steven Jella, Associate Executive Director for San Diego Youth Services. Steven is a licensed psychologist, licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Associate Executive Director of all program and clinical services for SDYS, which provides shelter, foster homes, community centers, and housing for more than 20,000 youth each year. We spoke to Steven about how his organization had to rapidly adjust to providing services during the pandemic, going from, “90% in-person services to 90% remote services in just 5 days.” We also spoke about how he has focused on preserving his workforce over this past year, getting everyone to work together and sustain their agency, like worker bees.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Steven Jella