We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate Director for Mental Health Services (LCSW) 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 (Position is onsite and may become hybrid at Senior Leadership Discretion. Hours are 9am-5pm with some flexibility to work evenings until 7p to support treatment team)

Salary: $90,000-100K

Major Duties:

• 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
• Minimum of three years supervisory experience required in a child welfare setting
• 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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Medical specialties:

• Psychiatry

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person