Reach & Rise 1:1 Program Director

Boothbay Region YMCA•Boothbay Harbor, ME

8h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of local executive leadership and in close alignment with the YMCA Reach & Rise National Director, the Reach & Rise Program Director is responsible for the overall execution, ongoing development, and clinical oversight of the YMCA’s National Reach & Rise® 1:1 Mentoring Program at the local association level. Serving as the clinical lead for the program, the Program Director implements a therapeutic, trauma-informed, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed mentoring model. This position manages risk, delivers clinical case management, and establishes vital community linkages. The Director leads local volunteer recruitment, screening, match generation, parent/family engagement, and ongoing clinical match support while upholding uniformity in CBT curriculum delivery, research data collection, and OJJDP federal grant compliance. Reach & Rise® is an evidence-based, therapeutic youth mentoring program designed for youth (ages 6–17) facing mental health setbacks, trauma, low self-esteem, or family/peer conflict. The 1:1 model pairs a vulnerable youth with a trained adult volunteer mentor for 12 to 18 months. The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles—such as cognitive reframing, emotional regulation, mood mapping, and positive coping mechanisms—into everyday mentor-mentee interactions to promote resilience, academic connectedness, and risk reduction.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related mental health field (LCSW, LMFT, or license-eligible preferred).
Minimum of 2–3 years of clinical, youth development, or case management experience working with at-risk youth and diverse family systems.
Strong understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, trauma-informed care, and youth mental health interventions.
Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, demonstrate strong leadership, and make sound clinical decisions with minimal direct supervision.
Demonstrated skill in volunteer recruitment, public presentation, community outreach, and cross-cultural communication.
Must possess the visual, auditory, and physical capabilities to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
LiveScan fingerprinting and Department of Justice background clearance required prior to employment

Responsibilities

Serve as the resident mental health subject matter expert, integrating cognitive behavioral principles and trauma-informed practices into all mentor interactions and match activities.
Conduct clinical assessments, evaluate mental health and developmental needs, and craft individualized Mentee Growth Plans utilizing evidence-based intervention techniques.
Facilitate 18 hours of pre-match training modules for adult volunteer mentors, focusing on youth development, cultural humility, boundary setting, and practical CBT tools (e.g., reframing negative thinking, mindfulness, problem-solving).
Deliver ongoing clinical match supervision, monthly check-ins, crisis intervention, and mandated reporting compliance to ensure safety and risk mitigation.
Execute proactive recruitment, screening, interviewing, and background checks for adult volunteer mentors (ages 21+).
Provide comprehensive case management and wrap-around support services to mentees and their families, connecting them to community resources, food security programs, and external mental health care as needed.
Guide mentors, youth, and caregivers in tracking progress against growth plan goals during regular match check-ins.
Build and sustain strong community relationships with schools, youth service bureaus, juvenile justice partners, pediatric clinics, and local community-based organizations to establish robust referral pipelines.
Serve as an ambassador for Reach & Rise, promoting the program’s therapeutic benefits and fostering cross-departmental collaboration across local YMCA branches and community events.
Ensure program strategies and mentor recruitment reflect the cultural, socioeconomic, and generational diversity of the local community served.
Oversee full compliance with OJJDP federal grant guidelines, partnership agreements, contract deliverables, and budget tracking.
Participate as a practitioner-researcher in ongoing research studies; collect, maintain, and submit accurate mentor/mentee assessment data and outcome metrics according to grant deadlines.
Maintain accurate case records, contact logs, and database entries in the centralized platform.