Overview
Job Title: Director of Mental Health Services
Department: Youth Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Classification: Onsite
SUMMARY
The Director of Mental Health Services is responsible for the direction and leadership of operations, financial, programmatic, and human resources activities related to the delivery of mental health services across all levels of care at APCH. This includes the establishment, achievement, and continuous monitoring of APCH’s behavioral health goals and objectives. The position provides direction and leadership to ensure APCH meets great member care and improved mental health within an efficient cost structure while improving the work life of staff. The Director of Mental Health Services must align with the vision and strategic goals for the department while managing staffing needs and performance evaluations for direct reports. The Director is the lead therapist, dividing their time between supervising clinical therapists, case management staff, supervising counseling interns, supporting day-to-day activities, and maintaining a very small caseload. The Director is responsible for overseeing daily interventions and follow-through with members, including behavior support when necessary, and meeting with parents. The Director works closely with program staff, providing guidance and training (informal/formal) for all Direct Service Staff members. The Director will collaborate with the HR Department in the onboarding of new counseling staff or interns.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervise APCH clinical therapists, case managers, and counseling interns
- Maintain a small caseload, as needed
- Facilitate agency case conference meetings to support staff and members based on counseling referrals
- Lead and direct mental health services according to industry standards and regulations
- Coordinate and participate in monthly Parent Cafe meetings, including the creation of content for parent engagement
- Remain informed of best practices with regard to mental health services and administration of the department
- Contribute to the development of group/class curriculum content
- Coordinate and assist with establishing and implementing community standards (behavioral procedures) for youth (8 – 22) participating in the various programs
- Oversee mental health services for APCH members and families through 1:1 and group counseling using various techniques (in Spanish if necessary)
- Assist with the review and assessment of IEP reports for incoming members and review annually
- Understand, abide by, and enforce California’s Mandated Reporting Laws at APCH
- Support APCH program staff with behavior support strategies and implementing restorative practices
- Oversee, create, and maintain all relevant forms, documentation, and manuals for the mental health department, including updating Apricot 360 forms as needed
- Train department staff in department procedures and program requirements
- Work closely with the Senior Director of Programs and members of the leadership team
- Work closely with staff and provide guidance and training
- Conduct risk assessments when necessary and create safety plans to prevent harm to members or others, utilizing CPI or Pro-Act methods
- Develop and implement protocols for the organization’s values of R.E.A.C.H. pillars in year-round programming/curriculum
- Seek grants and partnership opportunities to expand and enrich programming
- Contribute to ongoing staff training – trauma-informed care, restorative practices, behavior support, and mandated reporting
- Contribute to the development of the documentation system, making recommendations for changes as needed
- Track and monitor behavioral trends within the center, including active responses to incident reports
- Facilitate meetings with parents as needed to address counseling referrals/behavior concerns
- Maintain ongoing communication with parents in response to incident reports
- Refer members to appropriate resources as needed (i.e., counseling, special needs, etc.)
- Maintain strong relationships with the department’s external collaborating partners
- Create and submit paperwork and monthly reports in a timely fashion
- Attend all required internal and external meetings (Staff, Supervisor, etc.)
- Ensure requirements for grantors and other funding sources, including government entities, are met by the Counseling Department
- Manage/contribute to grant reports as needed
- Perform administrative duties as assigned (including documentation of all services and counseling activities provided)
- Manage budgetary expenses and provide oversight of Direct Assistance requests
- Adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards and values at all times
- Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor
Qualifications
The Director of Mental Health Services must work well with colleagues in a high-energy, collaborative environment with open communication. The ideal candidate will embrace the APCH culture of a learning organization and strive to constantly improve upon systems and services for the benefit of members and employees. The ideal candidate is committed to ongoing personal and professional development.
All employees are expected to contribute to their department’s ongoing growth and improvement through excellent job performance. Additionally, you are expected to speak up if you become aware of deficiencies and needs; and to offer solutions and make suggestions for improvements in your purview areas. Likewise, because each employee and each department is integral to the entire APCH community, we expect that as you focus on your area, you will also consider the big picture and the overall mission of the agency, and communicate with the appropriate individuals if/when you become aware of problems and/or have suggestions for ways and opportunities to make APCH stronger and better. Together, we can continue to take APCH to even higher levels of excellence and service to the community.
Technical and Performance Skills
- Dedicated to Supporting and Working with Youth
- Leadership and Team Management
- Cultural Competency
- Crisis Intervention
- Conflict Resolution
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Time Management and Prioritization
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Program Development and Implementation
- Grant Writing and Fundraising
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Relationship Building
- Innovative Problem Solving
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Technology Proficiency
- Mission-Driven
- Advocacy
Education/Training/Experience
- MA degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, MSW, or MFT from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Licensure with BBS in California and 2 yrs post-license experience
- Course requirements (CEUs) to provide clinical supervision completed
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Ability to conduct mental health assessments, diagnostic impressions, and develop clear treatment plans
- Ability to develop innovative training
- Experience implementing PBIS and Restorative Practices (preferred)
- Professional Experience implementing Trauma-Informed Care (preferred)
- Experience working with youth (8 – 22) required
- Experience working with families required
- Experience providing supervision of staff (preferred)
Physical and Mental Demands
- Able to work in a dynamic and high noise level environment typical of a youth center
- Walking and standing required daily
- Sitting and using hands/vision for computer work for extended periods
- Lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
- Able to communicate and convey accurate information
A Place Called Home provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including but not limited to pregnancy), gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation, military and veteran status, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, citizenship national origin, age, physical and/or mental disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, A Place Called Home complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
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