Reach & Rise 1:1 Program Director

Boothbay Region YMCA; Boothbay Harbor (ME); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Boothbay Region YMCA in Boothbay Harbor, Maine seeks a Reach & Rise Program Director to oversee the 1:1 mentoring program, implement a CBT-informed model, and ensure clinical safety and fidelity across the local association.

You will recruit and supervise volunteers, coordinate with schools and community partners, manage grant requirements, data collection, and reporting while guiding youth toward resilience and positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related mental health field.
• 2–3 years of clinical or youth development experience with at-risk youth.
• LCSW/LMFT license or license-eligible preferred.
• Ability to work independently and lead program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical oversight and CBT-informed mentoring for Reach & Rise program.
• Lead volunteer recruitment, screening, and match support.
• Develop and maintain community partnerships and referrals.
• Ensure grant compliance and data collection per OJJDP guidelines.
• Oversee program training and risk management.

Skills

CBT techniques

Trauma-informed care

Youth development

Volunteer recruitment

Public presentation

Leadership

Case management

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Description

General Function

Under the supervision of local executive leadership and in close alignment with the YMCA

Reach & Rise National Director, the Reach & Rise Program Director is responsible for the overall

execution, ongoing development, and clinical oversight of the YMCA’s National Reach & Rise®

1:1 Mentoring Program at the local association level.

Serving as the clinical lead for the program, the Program Director implements a therapeutic,

trauma-informed, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed mentoring model. This

position manages risk, delivers clinical case management, and establishes vital community

linkages. The Director leads local volunteer recruitment, screening, match generation,

parent/family engagement, and ongoing clinical match support while upholding uniformity in

CBT curriculum delivery, research data collection, and OJJDP federal grant compliance

PROGRAM MODEL OVERVIEW

Reach & Rise® is an evidence-based, therapeutic youth mentoring program designed for youth

(ages 6–17) facing mental health setbacks, trauma, low self-esteem, or family/peer conflict. The

1:1 model pairs a vulnerable youth with a trained adult volunteer mentor for 12 to 18 months.

The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles—such as cognitive

reframing, emotional regulation, mood mapping, and positive coping mechanisms—into

everyday mentor-mentee interactions to promote resilience, academic connectedness, and risk

reduction.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Oversight & Cognitive Behavioral Support

• Serve as the resident mental health subject matter expert, integrating cognitive behavioral principles and trauma-informed practices into all mentor interactions and match activities.
• Conduct clinical assessments, evaluate mental health and developmental needs, and craft individualized Mentee Growth Plans utilizing evidence-based intervention techniques.
• Facilitate 18 hours of pre-match training modules for adult volunteer mentors, focusing on youth development, cultural humility, boundary setting, and practical CBT tools (e.g., reframing negative thinking, mindfulness, problem-solving).
• Deliver ongoing clinical match supervision, monthly check-ins, crisis intervention, and mandated reporting compliance to ensure safety and risk mitigation.

Volunteers, Families & Case Management

• Execute proactive recruitment, screening, interviewing, and background checks for adult volunteer mentors (ages 21+).
• Provide comprehensive case management and wrap-around support services to mentees and their families, connecting them to community resources, food security programs, and external mental health care as needed.
• Guide mentors, youth, and caregivers in tracking progress against growth plan goals during regular match check-ins.

Community Partnerships & Network Building

• Build and sustain strong community relationships with schools, youth service bureaus, juvenile justice partners, pediatric clinics, and local community-based organizations to establish robust referral pipelines.
• Serve as an ambassador for Reach & Rise, promoting the program’s therapeutic benefits and fostering cross-departmental collaboration across local YMCA branches and community events.
• Ensure program strategies and mentor recruitment reflect the cultural, socioeconomic, and generational diversity of the local community served.

Grant Management, Research & Administration

• Oversee full compliance with OJJDP federal grant guidelines, partnership agreements, contract deliverables, and budget tracking.
• Participate as a practitioner-researcher in ongoing research studies; collect, maintain, and submit accurate mentor/mentee assessment data and outcome metrics according to grant deadlines.
• Maintain accurate case records, contact logs, and database entries in the centralized platform.

KNOW-HOW & QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related mental health field (LCSW, LMFT, or license-eligible preferred).

Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of clinical, youth development, or case management experience working with at-risk youth and diverse family systems.

Therapeutic Expertise: Strong understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, trauma-informed care, and youth mental health interventions.

Leadership & Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, demonstrate strong leadership, and make sound clinical decisions with minimal direct supervision.

Community Engagement: Demonstrated skill in volunteer recruitment, public presentation, community outreach, and cross-cultural communication.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess the visual, auditory, and physical capabilities to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends for volunteer training and community events.
• Travel required to local program activity sites, schools, and community meetings.
• LiveScan fingerprinting and Department of Justice background clearance required prior to employment