Program Director

General Duties:

The Program Director will have responsibility for all programs connected to the group home. This includes, but is not limited to obtaining licenses, recruiting and training staff, studying the effects of programs, and monitoring the treatment of conduct disorder and behavior-disordered children who may have been victims of abuse and neglect (as defined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services). The Program Director will also supervise the staff training program by coordinating the format of the programs, obtaining necessary specialists for various sessions, arranging meeting dates and places, and obtaining audio-visual materials needed for the sessions. With the assistance of the Case Manager, the Director will develop, monitor and review the rehabilitation plans developed for each child in the group home. The Program Director will work cooperatively with the Clinical Director.

Licenses will be obtained through the Department of Children and Family Services for group homes that meet licensing standards.

Specific Duties:

1. Recruit staff for the group home as directed by the Deputy Executive Director.

2. Review the packet submitted by the Department on each child being considered for placement at the group home. This will include a minimum of two (2) interviews with the Department's case worker, the child, and, when appropriate, the biological family. Recommendation will be made either in writing or in person to confirm placement. A written statement will be completed that will include information gathered from the DCFS case worker and the Director's impressions and assessments of the strengths or weaknesses of the child, including suitability for placement and treatment as well as needed services for the biological family. Completion of all necessary documents, forms, and modules as required by the Department of Children and Family Services will also be the responsibility of the Program Director and will be part of a permanent record kept on each child.

3. Organize and coordinate the training sessions necessary for the group home staff prior to the placement of any child in the program.

4. Obtain the necessary training materials, speakers, etc. needed for each session. The Program Director will also arrange the meeting place and time for each session and keep attendance records on staff.

5. Be responsible for supervision and training of the Mental Health Professionals and Qualified Mental Health Professionals involved in the program who may take over part of the duties involved in the training component.

6. Will conduct meetings with biological parents or foster parents regularly when appropriate.

7. Will be responsible for carrying out the intake and placement of children, meeting their natural parents, and securing the necessary forms and signatures prior to placement.

8. With the assistance of the Case Manager, will set up pre-placement visits between biological/foster parents and the child in the agency setting, and supervise those visits.

9. Will consult with professional staff outside the agency if deemed necessary.

10. Will meet every three (3) months with the DCFS case worker of each child to discuss the child's progress in the group home.

11. Will arrange and coordinate parental visits with each child.

Qualifications:

1. Have at least an MSW, LSW Social Worker, or advanced degree in a related field. Additional graduate degrees such as a DSW or Ph.D. in a related field will be favorable considered.

2. Must have both clinical and administrative experience with children with behavioral/emotional disturbances.