Assistant Director Of Child Youth And Family Services

The Department of Mental Health is seeking an energetic Assistant Director for Child Youth and Family Services for Central Mass Area Office in Worcester who will be responsible for the administrative management of contracted services and general assistance to the Director of Child, Youth and Family Services and assumes the responsibility of the CYF Department in the absence of the Director of CYF.   The Program Manager has responsibility for an effective and efficient case management program for Child, Youth and Family Services in the assigned geographic area.  The overall mission is to promote mental health through early intervention, treatment, education, policy and regulation so that all residents may live full and productive lives. 

Reviews and coordinates with Management and Budget Department on behalf of the CYF Division to ensure the efficient and appropriate services and that all associated business and administrative actions are completed for the proper contractual and budgetary arrangements for such services.

Oversees the day-to-day operation of case management services to the area's child, Youth and Family Services program to maintain an optimally effective and productive staff, enhances inter and intra-agency coordination of services and collaborates with stakeholders in generating cooperation and contributing to developing, implementing policy, planning and resource allocation.  Responsible for the direct supervision of case management supervisors (if appropriate) including all aspects of personnel management.

Monitors the utilization of all services under the CYF Division to ensure services are utilized in the most efficient manner and that all children, Youth and families are served in the least restrictive and most clinically appropriate service in the community.  Additionally, ensures that the CYF system can accommodate and prioritize children and youth in acute care hospitals and continuing care units to provide a community services in the soonest possible timeframe.  Utilization management is coordinated with Area and Statewide DMH leadership as well as other children serving agencies and service providers.

Provides monitoring of provider contracts to ensure contracts meet standards of care as well as the high-quality services outlined in the regulatory protocols and program specific requirements.  As needed, provides consultation training, and site visits to provide information on regulatory standards.

Provides leadership to the CYF Division in regard to providing risk management and clinical oversight for children, Youth and families served in case management and in contracted services.  In coordination with Adult service system, ensure the smooth transition from CYF to adult services while providing assistance to families, as well as other child serving agencies in accessing care as needed.

Participates and leads active interagency collaboration and coordination with CYF in coordination with DCF, DYS, DPH, DDS Juvenile Justice Court System, school systems and child serving advocates to ensure that a comprehensive plan is developed for all children with complex needs.  Participates in a variety of collaborative community coalitions to provide continuous quality improvement to CYF service system.

Please Note:  This is a full-time, 40 hour position.  The schedule is 8:30AM - 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.  The days off are Saturday and Sunday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

       Skilled initiating and maintaining productive and tactful communication with a variety of service providers, children, Youth and families.

       Ability supervise, determine staff training needs, motivate staff to work effectively, evaluate performance and determine need for disciplinary action.

       Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines governing agency and unit activities.

       Possess administration and management skills including supervision, program planning/development, communication skills, budgetary experience, utilization management, risk management and quality management.

       Knowledge of the principles and practices of crisis intervention and ability to make decisions, act quickly, and de-escalate situations to maintain child, Youth and families/staff/office safety.

       Experience with conflict resolution strategies and ability to advocate effectively on behalf of Children, Youth and families.

       Demonstrate the ability to assess needs (clinical, risk and service) of Children, Youth and families, develop comprehensive service plans, and evaluate case management processes and results.

       Possess the capacity to facilitate meetings and achieve a level of consensus with a diverse group of stakeholders. As well as articulate clearly and concisely in verbal and written modes; ability to prepare statistical reports and record minutes of meetings.

       Ability to work independently, organize work efficiently, respond appropriately to changing needs of and multiple demands.

       Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications

       Masters level degree in social work or related field

       Ability to work with specialized populations: Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Asian, Latino and other ethnic cultures.

       Experience working with Children, Youth and Families

       Given the population we serve bi-lingual or multi-lingual fluency

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.
Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics?  Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

Pre-Offer Process

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired.  For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

 Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the   Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

 For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Melissa Herron in Human Resources at 857-275-8690 or at Melissa.L.Herron@mass.gov

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.