Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!

For Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time)
• Candidates hired in this position will work in person but may have the opportunity for a hybrid schedule at program leaderships discretion

We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate Director for Mental Health Services to join our team. Children in foster care often have significant mental health issues that impact both their health and their permanency planning. Integrated Health Services is embedded into programs and works collaboratively with Care Coordination and Case Planning staffs to ensure the best possible outcomes for youth.

The Director for Mental Health Services is responsible for ensuring that collaboration occurs while overseeing mental health services for participants in foster and treatment family foster care at Good Shepherd Services. The Director provides clinical and administrative supervision for Mental Health clinicians in the Health Service Department as well as the Health Services Foster Care Rate Specialist. Mental Health Services provided to youth both onsite and off-site include individual and group therapy; psychosocial and trauma assessments; initial and annual mental health screenings per ACS standards, psychiatric evaluations, psychological evaluations and medication monitoring; psychoeducation for participants, foster parents and biological parents. The Director for Mental Health Services is the primary liaison with external mental providers and finds resources for participants as needed. 

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Foster Care Services

Location: 7 West Burnside Avenue, Bronx, NY

Hours: 35 hours/wk; Exempt (This position is located onsite)

Salary: $91,284 - $110,000

Major Duties of Clinical Director 

• Collaborate closely with the foster care, care coordination and other health services staff to ensure close communication and collaboration between all discipline and that the FASP goals are aligned with the Mental Health Treatment Plan. 
• Coordinate and supervise intake of mental health referrals both internally and externally.
• Review and, where needed, revise documentation written by Mental Health Clinicians.
• In conjunction with the Health Services’ Quality Assurance team, ensure that standards are met and documentation is entered into the systems of records.
• Provide thorough review of clinician’s paperwork and reports for accuracy and comprehension and that assessments are aligned with the FASP as needed.
• Lead treatment meetings to coordinate the psychosocial, psychiatric and when appropriate psychological evaluations along with nursing, care coordination and case planning to develop the initial treatment service plan and regular treatment service reviews
• Primary Liaison for ACS’ Mental Health Coordination Unit 
• Process overrides for ACS for hospitalizations, mental health treatment and psychotropic medications.
• Attend Family Team Conferences and other meetings as needed.
• Participate in educating parents/caregivers and staff on the mental health, psychotropic medication, and the impact of trauma, abuse/maltreatment of children/youth.
• Meet regularly with Health Services, Care Coordination, and Foster Care supervisors to ensure overall effectiveness, integration, and integrity of the mental health services being provided.
• Manage the changes necessitated by the move to Medicaid Managed Care.
• Assess, identify, and where appropriate provide, in-service training needs of mental health staff.
• Encourage and advance the use of the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences, and self-care in the program with both participants and staff.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment. 
• Utilize Sanctuary Model principles in the supervisory practice.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements:

• NYS LCSW Required or PMHNP-BC and a minimum of three years supervisory experience required.
• Experience supervising Mid Level Staff (Licensed Social Workers) highly preferred
• SIFI Required 
• Candidates applying must have 3 years recent experience in Child Welfare/ACS &/or Foster Care Setting
• Bilingual Spanish speaking candidates highly encouraged to apply
• Working knowledge of Medicaid Managed Care
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with Electronic Health Record systems
• Skills in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point)
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth development and trauma-informed perspective. 

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.