Behavioral Health Program Manager (Resource Care Team) - Full Time

  • Full-time

Company Description

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged with foster care and to adoptees and families, post-permanency.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

 

 

    Job Description

    We are seeking to hire a Behavioral Health Program Manager to work as part of our Resource Care Team. Amara is seeking to add behavioral health services to our service array. Across our programs we support youth, parents, kin, guardians, and foster caregivers who have experienced the child welfare system. Because there is a need for behavioral health services that address the unique needs of individuals impacted by the child welfare system, we are seeking to hire a Behavioral Health Program Manager to build out such a program. This position involves a hybrid work environment, working both remotely and through in-person interactions with colleagues and participants.

     

    Responsibilities

    The Behavioral Health Program Manager reports to the Chief Program & Policy Officer and works closely with Amara’s Program leadership team while overseeing Amara’s behavioral health programming development and maintenance. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

     

    Program Development and Administration:

    • Establish Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) program and explore expanding to other behavioral health services based on community need and agency ability to meet that need.
    • Establish all necessary licensures (e.g., behavioral health agency license through the Department of Health), contracts, or accreditations necessary to effectively and efficiently operate a behavioral health program at Amara.
    • Establish contracts between Amara and pertinent Managed Care Organizations (MCO) like Coordinated Care; lead the negotiation process for Amara with the support of the Leadership Team.
    • Work with internal and external partners to ensure Amara is meeting all monitoring, reporting, and contract requirements associated with licensure and program related contracts. This includes guiding internal and external audits to ensure regulatory compliance regarding service delivery.
    • Create and implement protocols, procedures, and program structure that are consistent with best practice models for effective program implementation for Amara’s behavioral health programs (e.g., staffing model, cross-program collaboration, etc.).
    • Build collaborative relationships with local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) including behavioral health organizations, foster care organizations, etc. to ensure effective referrals and community support.
    • Manage the day-to-day operations of Amara behavioral health programs.
    • Attend required and recommended County and State provider and community behavioral health meetings in each of the Mental Health Planning Areas serviced by Amara.
    • Project, develop, and monitor revenue and expense budget for Behavioral Health Services program with the assistance of the Chief Program and Policy Officer.
    • Lead the organizational renewing or renegotiating of any behavioral health contracts.
    • Work collaboratively with Amara Program leads to ensure impactful, efficient, and complementary services across Amara’s service array.
    • In partnership with Associate Director of Program Impact and Evaluation, ensure appropriate data collection and reporting to evaluate program impact and efficacy given the contract constraints and the established programmatic goals.
    • Identify, recommend, and implement program and process improvement in concert with team feedback/guidance.

    Clinical Supervision and Management

    • As a manager, this position plays a key role in the development and ongoing promotion of Amara’s mission, vision, philosophy, and culture.
    • Provide a warm, caring, and confident leadership style that supports a team providing direct behavioral health and care coordination to children and families.
    • Develop, supervise, and support the Behavioral Health Services team, including recruitment and retention, hiring, orientation, supervision, evaluation, and promotion of staff.
    • Ensure that services provided are high quality, consistent, and responsive to child and family needs across all team members.
    • Provide behavioral health services as needed during program development and maintenance.
    • Respond/attend to details of crisis situations that may arise during working and non-working hours. Be available for staff questions as needed.
    • Provide clinical supervision (utilizing reflective supervision skills in individual and group settings) and ensure best practice across all program areas.
    • Partner with all program areas to ensure effective care coordination for shared clients, be readily available for ad-hoc staffing and participate in team meetings as needed.
    • Assign and manage staff caseloads, setting and adjusting work to be accomplished by staff.
    • Track overall performance of Behavioral Health services staff (including Foster Care Specialists who serve as WISe Care Coordinators)
    • Remain apprised of current trends, practices, and legislation in behavioral health and foster care through networking and publications to develop new programs to either meet changing needs in our community or to diversify Amara’s services
    • Coordinate with the Chief Program & Policy Officer regarding child welfare policy
    • Participate in select internal and external collaborative efforts with key stakeholders/partners (e.g., DCYF, WACF, other CPAs, etc.) to advance systemic child welfare change

     

    Qualifications

    Required Qualifications

    • Education/Experience Requirement –
      • Master’s degree in Counseling or related field (psychology, social work, marriage, and family therapy, etc.)
      • At least 3 years of clinical licensure experience; be able to provide supervision for licensed and license-eligible staff
      • Prior supervisory experience
    • Licensed mental health clinician (LMFT, LICSW, LMHC, PhD); must maintain eligibility to participate in federal health care programs
    • Experience in navigating the licensure process and/or license maintenance for a behavioral health agency
    • Knowledge of child development and family systems
    • Knowledge of child welfare, foster care, guardianship and adoption and the needs of families supporting children through transitions and post-permanency
    • Ability to demonstrate initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility, and independent judgment required
    • Ability to work with individuals across the spectrum of age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender expressions & identities
    • Ability to work collaboratively with an outstanding professional team, DCYF and community providers
    • Must provide proof of current COVID-19 vaccination.
    • First Aid/CPR/BBP Certification
    • Valid Driver’s License, reliable vehicle, current auto insurance
    • Must be at least 21 years of age.

     

    Preferred Qualifications

    • Relevant lived experience navigating the complexities of behavioral health and child welfare will also greatly benefit anyone in this position.
    • Managerial experience in a diverse work environment
    • Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with Spanish-speaking families.
    • Experience coordinating and managing individual, and group supports.
    • Strong writing skills
    • Experience with MS Word, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel
    • Willingness and ability to work at Amara offices, and travel as needed to other WA state counties.

    Additional Information

    Salary and Benefits

    This is a full time position with an annual rate of pay between $78,000-$86,000/year DOE. Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance. Amara supports a hybrid work schedule with some flexibility to work from home. Occasional travel between our King and Pierce County offices will be required.

    Criminal Background Check

    Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. For specific requirements please feel free to contact the hiring manager or human resources.

    Vaccination Requirement

    Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodations.

    To Apply

    To express your interest in this position, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters.

    Applications will be reviewed until position is filled.

    Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer