Director of Preventive Services

Director Of Preventive Services

About the Program 

Graham Windham’s General and Intensive Prevention programs help more than 300 families care safely for the children, while addressing underlying conditions that can lead to child abuse or neglect, such as parental depression, family stress, substance use or domestic violence. Using Solution-Based Casework, we actively work with parents to help them develop a more active, consistent and productive role in their child’s educational and social development, and we encourage families to build connections to positive supports in their community who will help them sustain their progress.  

Position Overview 

The Preventive Director in partnership with the Associate Vice-President of Social Services, alongside the Preventive management team will insure that the multi-site and multi-method programs have a consistently strong approach to partnering with families to promote the safety and wellbeing of all children; insure that the agency practice approach (Solution-Based Casework) is used to partner with families to help develop and encourage families to build connections to positive supports in their community who will help them sustain their progress; collaborate effectively with all internal and external programs to insure that our families and staff have access to high-quality programs and resources that meet their needs. Manage the day to day function of the Community-Based General and Intensive Preventive Service Programs according to New York State, New York City Administration of Children mandates and in accordance with the Agency’s Pillars (Treat all with respect; Promote Safety and Well-Being; Encourage learning; Support opportunities for growth and Thrive in life)so as to strengthen families and protect children. Engage in community relation, collaborations, linkages and other activities that support the program, assist the community and aid families. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to): 

• Drives the implementation of practices, policies and procedures consistent with Graham Windham’s Prevention Program Plan for Performance Excellence.
• Maintains a consistently urgent focus on safety and risk, including regular supervision of preventive supervisors to advance the practice and strengthen supervisors ‘capacity to supervise their staff.
• Ensure that supportive and rehabilitative services are provided to children and families to avert disruption of the families that could result in foster care placement; enable a child in care to reunite with their family at an earlier time or prevent re-entry of a child into foster care.
• Work with program leadership to insure that all staff are trained and certified in Solution Based Casework and that staff remain proficient in the skills.
• Monitor all case planning components by tracking appropriate quality assurance issues including ACS evaluation items.
• Hire and train appropriate staff to ensure an unbroken continuum of services to clients.
• Ensure ongoing staff training in accordance with employee’s need and agency policy.
• Support agency policy by use of progressive discipline.
• Directly supervise support and case planning team in the absence of supervisors.
• Present the Preventive Program to the community, maintain and establish community linkages and collaboration with community groups, elected officials, health facilities and other agencies.
• Represent program at external and internal meetings with funders (OCFS, ACS).
• Monitor site operations to ensure smooth, satisfactory and safe working conditions.
• Consider staff moral a major area of responsibility, initiate and suggest policies and practices to ensure retention staff.
• Provide ongoing management direction and support to staff ensuring correct implementation of agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain and apply a current knowledge of Preventive Service regulations.
• Attend regularly scheduled supervision, courses and seminars for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing social work, supervisory and management skills.
• Respond to agency/ client emergencies within or outside office hours.
• Assume additional assigned responsibilities as dictated by Agency/ Program need.
• Assist in the development and oversight of outcome measures. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

Master's Degree in Social Work or in a related Human Services' field required; Five (5) or more years of managerial experience in a child welfare setting; Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem solving abilities; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Working knowledge of ACS Prevention Standards and Policies, as well as CONNECTIONS and Promise data systems. 

Full-time position; salary commensurate with experience. Graham Windham offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, holiday pay, retirement savings plan, and much more. 

EOE