Therapeutic Preschool Program Manager

Job Description

*Position Summary*:

The Program Manager is responsible for daily oversight ofclient services within the Nature & Nurture Therapeutic Preschool program for children ages 3-6 experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges, primarily by facilitating psychotherapy, managing preschool curriculum and licensing, building relationships with client families, collaborating to support clients enrolled in local childcare/preschool programs, and supervising staff. As an Early Childhood Mental Health specialist, the Program Manager will support the principles and values of trauma-wise care and child-centered, relationship-grounded therapeutic practices in accordance with agency policies while ensuring adherence to all state, federal and accreditation and licensing guidelines.

*Credentials, Experience, & Skills: *

Master’s degree in clinically relevant field (Clinical Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy) that meets Alaska licensure requirements; fully licensed or eligible for clinical licensure. Two years relevant experience within early childhood settings or working with young children in a clinical setting. Working knowledge of early childhood development, trauma-informed care, tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion, and an ability to apply theory to practice; Understanding of mental health treatment settings and/or experience working with severely emotionally disturbed preschool-aged children and their families; Strong administrative and communication skills; Supervisory experience; Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement (ECMH-E®) or willingness to obtain it within two years of hire.

*Essential Functions:*

* Manages day-to-day operations and oversees intensive outpatient services of the Therapeutic Preschool program
* Develops daily, weekly, and semester-based service and staffing schedules
* Supervises staff, providing new employee on-boarding, regular feedback and coaching, ongoing training and professional development, and timely performance evaluations
* Makes recommendations to Supervisor/HR regarding staff hiring and terminations
* Facilitates weekly individual and family psychotherapy services (particularly dyadic work with child-caregiver) and intermittent parent/caregiver-focused psychotherapy and/or psychoeducation groups
* Participates in weekly Treatment Team meetings of the clinical staff
* Serves as Lead Teacher, developing and overseeing implementation of both academic and socioemotional curricula
* Ensures that program service spaces are always safe, therapeutic, presentable, and adequately equipped, including risk mitigation and inventory management
* Coordinates in-school support for preschool-aged clients enrolled in local childcare and preschool programs who require assistance to function successfully in mainstream settings or in their transitions to kindergarten, maintaining positive working relationships with these community partners
* Facilitates weekly program staff meeting
* Collaborates with Clinical Director to establish and update operating procedures and program policies
* Takes lead on securing and maintaining the program’s license as a childcare center with the State of Alaska
* Collaborates with Case Manager and other Clinicians to orient and communicate with parents and caregivers, engage families in client treatment and caregiver education, and facilitate intake of new clients
* Utilizes trauma-sensitive crisis intervention skills to respond to client needs during acute stress and dysregulation
* Maintains strict client confidentiality and obtains releases of information as needed to manage HIPAA-protected client information and records
* Develops and oversees clinician-driven client treatment plans to guide individualized interventions for clients
* Oversees the completion of staff documentation in client Electronic Clinical Record (ECR), trains staff in documentation skills for quality assurance consistent with accreditation and Medicaid documentation standards
* Participates in weekly clinical and administrative supervision, as well as ongoing Reflective Supervision and Consultation (RSC)
* Builds program capacity and effectiveness, serving as a catalyst for positive change
* Adheres to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct and continuing professional development; Participates in continuing education to maintain certification and advance knowledge/skill level appropriate for the early childhood client base
* Utilizes cross-training in critical case management functions in the absence of the Case Manager to include parent communications, facilitating client intake and treatment reviews, attending external meetings (school district IEP and 504 plan meetings, etc.)
* Maintains cooperative working relationships with community providers and educators, OCS, Sitka Tribe of Alaska/ICWA, Child Advocacy Center, etc.
* Fosters and supports a team-oriented environment, practicing conflict resolution skills as needed to maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers/supervisees; advises Clinical Director on matters of employee satisfaction, retention, workplace climate, and staff morale

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $64,480.00 – $83,200.00 per year

Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Health insurance
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance

Education:
* Master’s (Required)

Experience:
* Preschool: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
* Sitka, AK 99835: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person