If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an
Program Director
Program Overview:
Supportive Visitation Services are designed to preserve and strengthen the parent-child relationship while promoting positive family interactions. The program facilitates regular visitation between children in out-of-home placements and their parents, relatives, and siblings. Through structured and supportive services, the program aims to foster effective communication, strengthen parenting skills, support permanency planning, and promote successful family reunification.
The Clinical Program Director is responsible for providing administrative management and leadership, including program development and the regular supervision of staff; the accuracy, appropriateness and compliance of documentation including Medicaid billing, and the resources and program components necessary for effective services and adherence to the SVS program model. The position requires strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with other SVS program leadership and build collaborative relationships with system partners.
The Clinical Program Director serves as a leader in the organization and provides important input and guidance on programmatic development and healthy operations (budgets, hiring, reporting, CQI, etc.).
Supportive Visitation Services utilizes an evidence-based parenting model and a visit coaching model to help achieve program goals.
As an integrated health organization, Acenda values the use of evidence-based practice or EBP's.
$1,000 Sign-On Bonus Available!
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supervise, mentor, and support the professional development of visitation staff in accordance with the Supervision for Success model.
- Collaborate regularly with the SPD, program leadership, and Senior Vice President to review operations, troubleshoot challenges, and develop strategies to enhance program effectiveness and staff performance.
- Oversee staff scheduling, productivity, and workload management.
- Partner with Program Directors and Regional Coordinators to assign, monitor, and manage caseloads.
- Ensure intake assessments thoroughly identify family strengths and needs and align with established family interaction goals and interventions.
- Ensure Visit Planning Meetings are conducted within required timeframes and that families receive the appropriate level of care and support.
- Demonstrate effective problem-solving, sound judgment, critical thinking, and independent decision-making.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with program leadership and staff to ensure consistent coordination and delivery of visitation services.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners to support referrals, case coordination, and successful interventions.
- Ensure staff adhere to program manuals, agency policies and procedures, and Department of Children and Families (DCF) guidelines.
- Oversee staff documentation within the agency's Electronic Client Record (ECR) system, as well as the DCF REDCap and NJ Spirit databases.
- Monitor program expenditures and billing processes to ensure compliance with budgetary and funding requirements.
- Facilitate employee onboarding, orientation, and training to ensure staff possess the required competencies and credentials.
- Promote culturally responsive and competent service delivery.
- Stay informed about issues and trends affecting the populations served by the program.
- Communicate programmatic and operational concerns to leadership in a timely manner and recommend improvements when appropriate.
- Utilize Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) data to support best practices and improve program outcomes.
- Complete and submit accurate reports, records, and documentation in accordance with established guidelines.
- Uphold ethical standards consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
- Follow agency and program policies and procedures while promoting adherence among staff.
- Ensure the quality, professionalism, and accuracy of all written and verbal communications.
- Attend required agency and program meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
- Actively participate in initiatives designed to strengthen agency operations and program effectiveness.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and security requirements.
- Oversee the collection and reporting of client demographic and treatment data as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Provide direct supervision and oversight to a team of Visitation Counselors and Visitation Therapists.
- Offer clinical guidance and support to ensure effective service delivery.
- Monitor and support the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
- Utilize the Supervision for Success model to address staff performance, coaching, accountability, and professional growth.
- Required Skills/Competencies:
Education, Work Experience and/or Skills Requirements:
- Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field required.
- Valid New Jersey professional clinical license required; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) preferred.
- Minimum of five years of experience providing mental health services, including at least two years delivering therapeutic or mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or families.
- Experience working with families involved in the child welfare system is preferred.
- Prior supervisory experience required.
- Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record required.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and the impact of trauma on children and families.
- Experience in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques.
- Demonstrated initiative, creativity, dependability, and reliability, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, ethical decision-making, and independent thinking in complex situations.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload, establish goals, and develop effective action plans.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to work sensitively and respectfully with individuals of all genders, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and other diverse identities and needs.
Physical Requirements:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and adaptability when working with diverse populations.
- Knowledge of systems-oriented practice and family-centered approaches.
- Commitment to practice-based learning, continuous improvement, and quality outcomes.
- Proficiency in utilizing technology, data systems, and informatics to support service delivery and program operations.
Disclaimer:
This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. The workforce member is expected to adhere to all policies of Acenda.
Department/Program
Supportive Visitation Services (SVS)
