Tier 3 was founded in 2018 as a pro bono consulting project by Trey Caples and Brandon Briery, two colleagues and lifelong friends who had worked for decades in youth community programs, schools, camps, and clinics. In 2022, Tier 3 formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the US. Since inception in 2018, Tier 3 has worked with dozens of organizations in the US and abroad.

Tier 3 was founded in 2018 as a pro bono consulting project by Trey Caples, Ed.S., and Brandon Briery, Ph.D., who first met decades ago while working together as camp counselors.

Trey is a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP) with experience across a wide range of youth-serving organizations, having served in roles spanning from consultant to Executive Director.

Brandon is a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced training in pediatric clinical psychology. He has dedicated much of his career to working with children and adults with special needs, particularly within camp-based settings.

Together, Trey and Brandon share a commitment to integrating formal educational and clinical tools with relationship-based and community-based programming, supporting organizations such as camps, after-school programs, and children’s homes.

Tier 3 is a volunteer-based organization that also collaborates with other youth-serving professionals from a range of disciplines, engaging consultants as needed to support specific projects based on organizational goals and contextual needs.

Tier 3’s mission is to connect experience, skills, and resources across a global network of youth-serving professionals and community organizations. We work alongside local partners to strengthen programs and systems that support the psychosocial and educational well-being of children.

Our vision is grounded in collaboration, shared learning, and respect for local context. We seek to build long-term partnerships that expand access to practical tools and professional support while honoring the strengths and knowledge already present within communities.

The name Tier 3 reflects our focus on deeper, more individualized forms of support. In many youth and education settings, “Tier 3” is commonly used to describe the level of help that is most intensive, strategic, and tailored to specific needs.

While Tier 3 values and supports work at all levels—from early, preventative efforts to broader community programs—our role often involves stepping in when organizations are facing more complex challenges. We partner with teams to provide focused program development, strategic planning, and specialized support that strengthens their capacity to serve children and families well.

Tier 3 is incorporated in the United States as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This designation refers to a tax-exempt nonprofit status under U.S. law and is commonly used by organizations engaged in charitable, educational, and humanitarian work.

As a 501(c)(3), Tier 3 operates for public benefit and is subject to governance, reporting, and transparency requirements under U.S. nonprofit regulations. Contributions made to Tier 3 by U.S. donors may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Information related to Tier 3’s incorporation, nonprofit status, and financial reporting is available upon request. We are committed to transparency and accountability and are happy to provide appropriate documentation through direct communication.