Residential Clinical Program Manager

Wellspring Lutheran Services; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellspring Lutheran Services – New Directions in Livonia, MI seeks a Clinical Program Manager to lead clinical and operational aspects of residential foster care. You will oversee supervisors, therapists, and staff to ensure trauma-informed care aligned with licensing standards and contracts.

The role emphasizes collaboration with families, schools, courts, and partners, while guiding program improvements and crisis response.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required and Michigan licensure (LARA)
• Experience delivering clinical services to youth and families in residential or high-acuity settings
• Strong supervisory/leadership experience in human services

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and operational leadership for residential foster care programs
• Lead and support supervisors, therapists, and clinical professionals to ensure trauma-informed, evidence-based care
• Coordinate with families, schools, courts, MDHHS, Community Mental Health and partners to maintain integrated treatment
• Monitor quality improvement, licensing, accreditation, and contract compliance; guide crisis response and decision-making

Skills

Clinical leadership

Supervisory experience

Trauma-informed care

Team building

Crisis intervention

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related behavioral health field

Job description

Job Description:Clinical Program Manager | Leading Healing, Restoring Hope & Supporting Youth Through Their Most Challenging MomentsWellspring Lutheran Services – New Directions, Livonia | Full-time | Salary $80,000Accepting applications through October 28, 2026You chose this field because you believe young people are capable of more than their circumstances.You've worked with youth who have experienced trauma, loss, instability, emotional challenges, and complex family dynamics. You've seen the impact that compassionate intervention, skilled clinical care, and supportive relationships can have on a young person's future.You know that healing doesn't happen overnight.It happens when dedicated professionals come together around a shared goal. It happens when treatment is thoughtful, families are engaged, staff are supported, and young people are given the tools they need to build a better future.At New Directions, we're looking for a Clinical Program Manager who is passionate about helping youth overcome challenges, supporting clinical teams, and creating an environment where healing and growth can happen every day.As a key member of the New Directions leadership team, you'll provide clinical and operational leadership for our residential foster care programs. You'll guide supervisors, therapists, and direct care staff while helping ensure youth receive high-quality, trauma-informed care that aligns with best practices, licensing standards, and contractual requirements.Most importantly, you'll help create opportunities for young people to experience safety, stability, growth, and hope.What You'll DoYou'll lead and support a team of supervisors, therapists, and clinical professionals who are helping youth navigate some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.You'll provide clinical leadership that helps ensure treatment plans are meaningful, services are effective, and youth receive the support they need to reach their goals.You'll help create a culture where staff feel supported, developed, and empowered to provide exceptional care.You'll work alongside families, schools, courts, MDHHS, Community Mental Health, and other community partners to ensure treatment remains coordinated and focused on positive outcomes.You'll guide quality improvement efforts, monitor program performance, and help ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation, and contract expectations.You'll help teams navigate crises, support critical decision-making, and ensure youth safety remains at the center of everything we do.Some days you'll be providing clinical consultation, coaching leaders, or reviewing treatment progress. Other days you'll be working directly with community partners, supporting staff development, addressing complex clinical situations, or helping shape the future of the program.Every day, your leadership helps create a stronger future for the youth we serve.Why This Role MattersThe young people at New Directions need more than treatment.They need adults who believe in their potential.Many of the youth we serve have experienced significant trauma, challenges, and barriers. The quality of leadership guiding their care directly influences the quality of services they receive.As Clinical Program Manager, you'll help ensure treatment remains trauma-informed, family-driven, youth-guided, and focused on long-term success.Your impact won't only be measured by compliance metrics or program outcomes.It will be measured in lives changed, families strengthened, and futures rewritten.The Leader We're Looking ForYou believe every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.You are passionate about trauma-informed care and clinical excellence.You enjoy developing and mentoring clinical professionals.You lead with empathy, accountability, and integrity.You thrive in complex environments and remain calm under pressure.You value collaboration with families, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams.You are committed to helping youth achieve lasting, meaningful change.What You'll BringMaster's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field.Current Michigan clinical licensure through LARA.Experience providing clinical services to youth and families in residential, child welfare, behavioral health, or other high-acuity settings.Supervisory and leadership experience within human services.Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, evidence-based practices, and child welfare systems.Knowledge of treatment planning, crisis intervention, family engagement, and youth development.Ability to build strong teams, foster accountability, and support continuous improvement.Commitment to serving youth and families with dignity, compassion, and respect.About New DirectionsNew Directions is a residential treatment program serving youth with significant emotional, behavioral, developmental, and family challenges.Our program focuses on helping youth build the skills, confidence, and support systems needed for successful transitions into their communities and future lives.Every member of our team plays an important role in helping young people discover their strengths and embrace their potential.ScheduleFull-time leadership position with a schedule driven by the needs of the program and the youth we serve. Primarily weekday business hours.Participation in leadership meetings, treatment reviews, and program oversight activities.Availability to provide consultation, support, and crisis response as needed.Rotating responsibilities related to emergency situations and program coverage.Occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call responsibilities.Must be able to respond to the campus within required timeframes when clinical coverage or emergencies arise.Because residential treatment operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, flexibility and leadership presence are essential components of this role.Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?At Wellspring, we're motivated by Christ's love to engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.That mission is especially meaningful at New Directions, where every day brings opportunities to help young people discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves.This is more than a management position.It's an opportunity to develop leaders, strengthen clinical services, support families, and help young people build brighter futures.Apply TodayIf you're looking for a leadership role where your clinical expertise, passion for youth, and commitment to meaningful change can make a lasting impact, we'd love to meet you.Join New Directions and help create the environment where healing happens, growth begins, and potential becomes possibility.About usFor more than 130 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a trusted partner for families across Michigan, providing compassionate support and critical services to help people thrive during times of challenge and change. With deep roots in communities statewide, our team is united by a shared vision of changed lives, strong families and transformed communities.Our mission: Motivated by Christ's love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.Full job description available during the interview.