Program Manager

The Link and Option Center, Inc.•South Holland, IL

25d•$0 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Link & Option Center, Inc. is a Joint Commission–accredited outpatient State Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) serving the far Southside community and designated to serve the Southland region with locations in South Holland and Hazel Crest, Illinois. Founded in 1994, The Link & Option Center, Inc., provides comprehensive behavioral health services including assessment, psychiatry, therapy, crisis services, case management, and care coordination. The Link & Option Center, Inc., is committed to delivering culturally competent, person-centered care that addresses both behavioral health needs and the social determinants impacting overall well-being. Through early identification, prevention, and treatment, The Link & Option Center, Inc., strives to improve the quality of life and strengthen the communities it serves. The Program Manager is responsible for the clinical, operational, and administrative oversight of the Crisis Triage Stabilization Program within a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This role ensures the delivery of timely, trauma-informed, community-based crisis services in alignment with: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Mental Health (DMH) Illinois 590 Crisis Care System and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline requirements Illinois Rule 132 Medicaid services (as applicable) CCBHC certification standards (SAMHSA) The Program Manager leads a multidisciplinary crisis team providing rapid response, de-escalation, assessment, and stabilization services in the community, with the goal of diverting individuals from emergency departments, hospitalization, and law enforcement involvement whenever appropriate.

Requirements

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field
Active Illinois clinical license required (LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, or equivalent)
Minimum 3-5 years of behavioral health experience, including crisis services
Minimum 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience
Experience with community-based crisis intervention and mobile response
Valid driver's license and ability to travel within service area

Nice To Haves

Experience working within Illinois 988 / 590 crisis system
Experience working within CCBHC model
Certification or training in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
Certification or training in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Experience collaborating with law enforcement, EMS, hospitals

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations of the Mobile Crisis Response program.
Ensure 24n crisis response capacity in alignment with CCBHC and Illinois 590 requirements.
Develop and maintain crisis response protocols, workflows, and dispatch procedures.
Coordinate staffing schedules to ensure continuous coverage.
Monitor response times and service accessibility benchmarks.
Provide clinical and administrative supervision to crisis staff, including Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs), Mobile Crisis Response Specialists, and Peer Support Specialists (CPRS).
Facilitate case consultations, critical incident debriefings, and ongoing clinical coaching.
Ensure adherence to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive practices.
Ensure staff provide rapid mobile crisis response in community settings, de-escalation and stabilization services, suicide and risk assessments, and safety planning and crisis intervention.
Oversee high-risk cases and provide guidance on involuntary hospitalization (as applicable) and duty to warn/report.
Ensure appropriate coordination with law enforcement (when necessary), emergency medical services (EMS), and hospitals and crisis stabilization units.
Coordinate with 988 call centers, Illinois Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE} Pilot (if applicable), and regional crisis hubs and dispatch systems.
Ensure seamless handoffs between call centers, mobile crisis teams, and stabilization services.
Maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders and first responders.
Ensure services meet Illinois Rule 132 (if billed services apply) and CCBHC crisis service requirements, and Medicaid documentation and billing standards.
Oversee completion of crisis assessments, progress notes, and safety plans.
Prepare for audits, including IDHS/DMH reviews and CCBHC certification and recertification.
Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), including response times, diversion from ER/hospitalization, and follow-up engagement within 24-72 hours.
Develop reports for internal leadership and state reporting.
Lead Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives to improve outcomes.
Ensure all crisis staff are trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, suicide risk assessment (e.g., Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale), trauma-informed care, and cultural competency and equity.
Coordinate onboarding and ongoing training requirements.