Tristan's Quest, Inc. was founded in June of 1999 by Dr. Jean and Richard Allen, whose 16-year-old son, Tristan, died during a physical restraint while in treatment for a severe depressive episode. Dr. Jean Allen, who is the Executive Director of Tristan's Quest, holds a Ph.D. in Child Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Special Education-Learning Disabilities. Dr. Allen has adopted five special needs children, has fostered 18 high-risk children, and has been a role model and mentor for many of the students she has taught or tutored. She has more than 30 years experience working with and advocating for children with special needs, including ten years of clinical experience facilitating short-term study skills clinics with small groups, as well as working individually with children who face emotional, behaviorally, and/or learning disabilities and their families.

Tristan's Quest is governed by a dedicated board of professionals who are committed to the values and beliefs which are the essence of Tristan's Quest—most importantly, the basic human worth of children with special needs and their rights to understanding, personal dignity, and compassionate care.

The goals of Tristan's Quest are three-fold:

• Tristan's Quest will work to raise the awareness of the importance of children's mental health issues to professionals and the community at-large;
  
  
• Tristan's Quest will provide education and support for the families who are trying to meet the challenges of raising children with special "emotional/behavioral" needs; and
  
  
• Tristan's Quest will establish programs which will serve to enhance the self esteem and provide emotional empowerment to children and adolescents who have or may be at risk for developing emotional disorders.