COAR’s professional staff consists of a “technical team” which has two psychologists, three social workers, an accountant, and an administrator (for things like purchasing, a big job). There are ten housemothers (at the moment.) They and the children are supported by a driver, three maintenance/cleaning workers, and a gardener. Other outside professional staff are used as needed or volunteer their services.
Because maintaining an excellent facility is a priority for the Archdiocese of San Salvador, the technical team members are university graduates, highly trained, and committed to continuous professional development. But as we all know, all the staff interacts with the children. They all need to know how to handle emergencies and the special situations that can arise among traumatized children and teens. The housemothers, in particular, receive special training and the extra emotional support that they need to carry the burdens of the children and the stress of life in El Salvador.