Director of Child Welfare chez Hoyleton Youth and Family Services

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Child Welfare is assigned the responsibility of overseeing programs by Hoyleton Youth and Family Services that focus on the permanency, support, and reunification of families. This includes Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care and Therapeutic Foster Care. The position also oversees our Emerging Adults program for young adults transitioning out of foster care. 

The Director participates in strategic planning, forecasting needs, directing and developing management-level personnel, budget planning, management and ensuring operational needs are met in accordance with CARE practice model principles, agency policies, contractual requirements and all applicable federal and state laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in strategic planning for the agency, stays current with research and best practice developments in the field of child welfare and forecasts changes in the external funding and service environment and develops recommendations and plans to address changes internally.
• Directly supervise the Child Welfare Managers and Emerging Adult Services Manager, and Administrative Staff. Hires, trains, coaches and appraises the performance of each. Meets regularly with management staff, both individually and as a team, to promote positive communication and coordination of shared services. Assures that staff at every level maintain performance standards, comply with program policies and procedures and provide services as required by contract or grant and focus on meeting the best interests of the child and family.  
• Maintains familiarity with the requirements of each contract, including Medicaid certification, Child and Family Team Meeting requirements, and outcome performance standards. In coordination with the quality review staff, establish systems to track key metrics, outcomes and other performance data.
•  Maintains regular communication with referring organizations in order to better understand their service needs, update them on program initiatives and activities and facilitate the resolution of any issues or concerns. Assures compliance with contractual, licensing and COA standards and regulations.
• Remains current on best practices in child welfare and prevention services. Assures continuing education for all staff to promote care and treatment of the highest quality.
• Assess staffing needs and anticipate the need to hire new employees in order to comply with contractual caseload requirements and assure that staff does not exceed realistic workload expectations. Assures the timely completion of performance appraisals for all staff.
• Works with supervisory staff to identify and correct performance problems. Consults with Human Resource and CPO concerning corrective disciplinary actions as needed.
• Explores opportunities to develop new programs and/or adjusts current programs to meet changing needs. Maintains familiarity with prevention models including evaluation of impact on persons served.
• Develops a budget for each program on an annual basis. Reviews monthly financial reports, including variances, and reports significant variances to the CPO, recommending actions to achieve resolution.   
•  Initiates and collaborates with community and contractual stakeholders through participation in group collaboration and advocacy efforts.  
•  Assumes other related tasks as required.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a working knowledge of Medicaid and COA standards.   
• Possess the experience, personal qualities and practice skills to work effectively with professionals from a variety of disciplines both internally and with other organizations. 
• The ability to direct services in a manner that reflects appreciation for the cultural background, heritage, and identity of clients. 
• Must be able to demonstrate strong leadership, strategic 4. management, and ability to manage multiple projects. 
• Experience in leading community groups and/or coalitions. 
• Experience and ability to review and understand financial reports, develop budgets and to make financial projections.  
• Leadership capacity, including the ability to inspire, educate and coach staff, plan, develop and successfully implement programmatic changes.
• Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to exhibit positive standards of conduct and uphold the agency’s mission and vision. 
• Effective decision making.
• Ability to motivate team members.
• Strategic thinker with strong planning and implementation skills. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills. Skills in making public presentations, and in conducting formal training internally and externally. 
• Desire to lead from a vicarious trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approach. 
• Adaptability and flexibility to assist with the development of new programming. 
• Problem-solving abilities from a systemic approach. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must possess and retain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and retain proof of auto insurance. 
• DCFS/CANTS Clearance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A Master’s Degree in Social Work or related human services field required, LCSW preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years preferred or equivalent experience managing leaders and multiple teams. 

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Children and Residential Experience), developed by Cornell University, to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed. 

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to successful job performance. 

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention). Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI principles drive company culture and are essential to job performance.

Working Conditions

This position operates in a professional office and residential environment and may require travel to agency sites and partner organizations based on role responsibilities.

The role involves periods of walking, standing, or sitting, and may occasionally require climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, or lifting materials up to 10 pounds, depending on job duties. 

Minimal exposure to environmental factors such as noise, dust, or varying indoor/outdoor temperatures may occur depending on program needs and client-related activities.