Milieu Coordinator

University of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Service Line Child Diagnostic Inpatient Unit (CDU) Milieu Coordinator is responsible for the implementation and sustainment of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Model—an innovative, evidence-informed milieu approach recognized as an emerging best practice for significantly reducing the use of undesired physical holds.

Requirements

Masters Degree in a human services area.
Five (5) years of experience in behavioral health services to include a minimum of 2 years supervisory experience.
Terminally credentialed and actively licensed in AR as a Mental Health Professional
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to “think outside the box”, flexible, the ability to independently problems-solve and the ability to implement interventions that are patient-centered and trauma-informed.
Must possess strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
Ability to work with very active children ages 2 to 12
Ability to participate in physical restraint

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children and families or work in an inpatient setting
CPS knowledge

Responsibilities

The Milieu Supervisor also serves as the subject matter expert for CPS, ensuring that all clinical and support staff (including RNs, LPNs, PSAs, and others) are trained, competent, and able to consistently implement the CPS model across all shifts, 24/7.
The Milieu Supervisor is responsible for fully integrating the CPS philosophy into all aspects of CDU operations, including staff orientation, ongoing education, documentation practices, and providing input into annual competency and performance reviews.
Directly supervises staff and oversees planned admissions, including review and scheduling.
Serves as the clinical liaison for families, the treatment team, and the CSM throughout the admissions process.
Orients and trains CDU staff in the CPS model through real-time coaching, observation, and role modeling across all shifts.
Provides ongoing feedback to ensure consistent implementation and partners with the CSM to support remediation and accountability when practice deviates from the model.
Creates and sustains a therapeutic milieu on the Child Diagnostic Inpatient Unit (CDU) grounded in the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, reframing challenging behaviors as developmental skill deficits rather than willful misconduct and ensuring responses are non-punitive and child- and family-centered.
Partners with families and the interdisciplinary team to embed CPS (“Plan B”) into assessments, interventions, and daily practice, promoting consistency across the unit.
Monitors fidelity to the model through staff support, benchmarking, outcome data, and review of therapeutic holds or workplace violence events to ensure policy and training compliance.
Perform other duties as needed.