Youth Services Program Director — Residential Care

Gandara Mental Health Center, Inc.

Springfield (MA)

On-site

USD 64,000 - 86,000

Full time

11 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid vacations

Paid holidays

Discretionary days

Mileage Reimbursement

Job summary

Gándara Mental Health Center, Inc. seeks a Program Director for DYS Pre-Independent Living in Springfield, MA.

You will lead youth services, oversee admissions, service planning, and transitions, ensuring housing stability, education, employment, and behavioral health goals are achieved in a trauma-informed environment. The role requires strong leadership, collaboration with MSW, and compliance with DYS policies.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Public Administration, Education, or a related field required; Master's Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

To ensure all program services are delivered in accordance with DYS regulations, agency policies, and licensing standards.
To maintain a safe, structured, therapeutic, and trauma-informed residential environment.
To oversee admissions, Day One orientation, occupancy agreements, individualized service planning, and successful transitions into the program.
To ensure youth receive comprehensive services related to housing stability, education, employment, behavioral health, financial literacy, transportation, and independent living skill development.
To monitor youth progress through regular case reviews, service plan updates, and multidisciplinary team meetings.
To ensure youth actively participate in individualized life skills programming including: budgeting and money management, meal planning and food preparation, grocery shopping and nutrition, employment readiness, community resource utilization, household management.
To establish and maintain collaborative relationships with DYS representatives, schools, employers, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, landlords, and community organizations.
To oversee crisis intervention, emergency response, and after-hours program operations.
To promote positive youth development, youth engagement, and individualized goal achievement.
To notify Executive Leadership immediately regarding serious incidents, abuse allegations, PREA concerns, youth safety issues, suspected illegal activity, or situations affecting program operations.
To perform other duties as assigned by Agency Leadership.