Assistant Director of Foster Care Mental Health

Salary: $87,000-$90,000/year

Position Summary:

At Children's Aid, we believe that all kids have limitless potential. Our dedicated staff provide comprehensive supports for nearly 50,000 children and families in targeted, under-resourced New York City neighborhoods. We know what it takes to ensure children grow up strong and healthy, and ready to thrive in school and life: excellent education and health care, social-emotional support, and strong, stable families.

Under the supervision of the Foster Care Mental Health Program Director, the Assistant Director of Foster Care Mental Health Program will be responsible for the supervision of the foster care mental health therapists and focus on enhancing therapists' clinical skills.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Provide direct clinical supervision to foster care mental health therapists and clinical supervisor
• Provide crisis intervention to clients as needed
• Review referrals for therapy and assign cases to therapists within 48 hours, maintain updated waitlist
• Monitor therapists' caseloads, ensure cases are being assigned and/or closed when clinically appropriate
• Monitor productivity of therapists, address concerns regarding productivity
• Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, families, professionals and other personnel from a wide range of cultural, social and economic backgrounds.
• Assist with the oversight of psychologists and psychiatrists regarding evaluations, schedules, caseloads
• Monitor new foster care intakes, including required Mental Health Assessments (IPCTP, Initial MH assessments)
• Complete intakes as needed to ensure initial assessments are completed within 30 days of foster care placement
• Ensure that all documentation and paperwork are completed in a timely manner and in accordance with ACS and OMH regulations, as well as completing chart reviews regularly.
• Maintain up to date program policies to be in compliance with OMH, ACS and OCFS/29I regulations
• Ensure therapists are effectively utilizing evidence-based models
• Facilitate monthly case conferences with clinical supervisor
• Participate in case consultations and trainings with other providers and foster care staff
• Serve as liaison between foster care and mental health staff to ensure collaboration in children's treatment.
• Participates with interdisciplinary team members in developing and implementing program policies and procedures
• Coordinate and facilitate team trainings/workshops to enhance therapist's clinical skills and interventions
• Discuss concerns regarding staff or program with program director
• Help with developing relationships with community providers
• Assist in completing forms required for referrals, evaluations, program eligibility or override for services
• Provide clinical and administrative coverage in absence of program director
• Assist in the training of new staff and interns as needed
• Effectively onboard and train program staff, and monitor completion of required trainings for staff
• Maintain a caseload of 2 clients
• Comply with all privacy laws including HIPAA, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Social Work required
• Valid New York State LCSW Required
• 2 years Supervisory Experience required.
• Experience with Foster Care population required.
• Ability to work flexible schedule, evening coverage is required.

Key Competencies:

• Strong clinical experience especially in the area of childhood trauma and program compliance preferred.
• Experience with evidence-based models preferred (Trauma Systems Therapy, CBT, TF-CBT, CBT )
• Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.