Children and Families Program Supervisor

State of Connecticut • Hartford, CT

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), Foster Care Division, is hiring a full-time Children and Families Program Supervisor for its Central Office Behavioral Health Division in Hartford. This team leads the ongoing development and monitoring of the state's children's behavioral health system of care. The position provides program oversight, contract compliance, and quality improvement for more than 50 congregate care programs that operate 24/7 and serve youth. The role also manages an administrative child welfare/protective services program component, including oversight of program development and evaluation, staff supervision, and compliance with federal, state, and department mandates. The position is hybrid, requires statewide travel, and is scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility for weekly operational needs.

Applicants must be current employees of the listed State of Connecticut agency with at least six months of full-time or equivalent service, and must meet the minimum qualifications. The role requires eight years of professional experience in child welfare, children's protective services, foster services, adoption, or social and human services, including one year supervising professional staff responsible for planning, developing, or implementing administrative or program services in a relevant field. Specified education and state service substitutions are permitted. The position is intended for a current state employee seeking career advancement.

Requirements

• Must be a current employee of the listed State of Connecticut agency with at least six months of full-time or full-time-equivalent service, subject to applicable collective bargaining provisions.
• Eight years of professional experience in child welfare, children's protective services, foster services, adoption, or social and human services.
• At least one year of the general experience must be in a supervisory capacity over professional staff responsible for planning, developing, or implementing administrative or program services in child welfare, children's protective services, children's mental health, or juvenile justice. For state employees, this experience is interpreted at the level of a Social Work Supervisor.
• Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures, casework principles and techniques, factors influencing individual and family attitudes and behavior, community resources and available services, and the legal basis and requirements of departmental programs.
• Knowledge of child development and mental health and behavioral challenges facing children and youth.
• Considerable interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and supervisory ability.
• Applicants must specify their qualifications on the application. Related endorsements, certifications, and licensure credentials should be included.
• College training may substitute for general experience at 15 semester hours per half-year, up to four years for a bachelor's degree.
• A master's or other advanced degree in behavioral science, public administration, education, social work, or a closely related field may substitute for one additional year of general experience.
• For state employees, two years of experience as a Children Services Consultant may substitute for the general and special experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing provider partnerships and relationships.
• Experience monitoring provider performance, tracking deliverables and performance metrics, and using data and outcomes to inform provider-performance and service-improvement decisions.
• Knowledge of residential and out-of-home treatment systems, including Specialized Trauma-informed Treatment and Reunification (STTAR) programs, therapeutic group homes, and residential treatment centers.
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated relationships with a broad range of multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Familiarity with prevention, diversion, and intervention services for youth and families.
• A history of developing and sustaining relationships with service providers.
• Familiarity with the Connecticut provider network and systems of care.

Responsibilities

• Provide program oversight, contract compliance, and quality improvement for more than 50 congregate care programs serving youth.
• Directly supervise the unit responsible for conducting Private Non-Medical Institutions (PNMI) reviews.
• Conduct provider meetings.
• Evaluate and monitor program outcomes.
• Support the evaluation of risk management.
• Follow up on incidents involving children in these programs, including arrests, AWOLs, and restraints.
• Manage a component of an agency program, including oversight of development and evaluation of clinical or behavioral programs.
• Ensure specialized services and programs comply with federal, state, and department mandates.
• Identify and develop new programs and funding sources.
• Schedule, assign, oversee, and review staff work; provide training and assistance; and conduct performance evaluations.
• Determine priorities, plan office work, and establish and maintain office procedures.
• Develop or recommend policies and standards.
• Act as a liaison with agency units, other agencies, officials, and community partners on policies, procedures, services, and resource coordination.
• Prepare reports and correspondence; consult with staff on difficult cases; and oversee records maintenance.
• Collect and analyze program data.
• May interact with clients and caretakers and may participate in cases concerning a child's retention in the community versus institutionalization.

Benefits

• State Employee Retirement System.
• A variety of medical and dental plans.
• Sick and personal leave.
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer; qualifying student loans may be eligible for forgiveness after 10 years of service.
• The state emphasizes meaningful work, work-life balance, and opportunities for growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed