Area Lead Agency Director

Job Description

Job Description

Objectives: The Area Lead Agency Director is responsible for all aspects of the overall operations of ALA services for an AO. Directors will foster continuous learning among ALA staff and support the DCF-ALA partnership.

People Management Responsibilities

· Work closely with ALA parent organization to recruit and hire ALA staff.

· Supervise, evaluate, and develop ALA staff, including mentoring Senior Service Coordinator to assist with Director’s responsibilities and to fill-in during Director’s absences.

· Implement policies and processes for accountability when staff are working in-office and virtually.

· Provide and/or arrange for on-going professional development for essential ALA skills (e.g., facilitation, community outreach, service navigation and matching, use of technology).

· Provide and/or arrange for cross-training of all ALA staff to ensure consistent coverage of ALA responsibilities.

· Address disagreements and challenges within the ALA team, with AO staff, and with services providers with a focus on problem-solving and conflict resolution, involving DCF Central Office when appropriate.

Program Administration Responsibilities

· Assign cases to ALA staff to match ALA staff members’ knowledge and experience, with complex cases assigned to Senior Service Coordinator or self.

· Promote teamwork and effective communication among ALA staff.

· Promote the DCF-ALA partnership through effective communication, regular attendance at AO meetings, and commitment to collaboration.

· Maximize the value of the DCF-ALA public/private partnership, including orienting ALA staff to DCF priorities, culture, and processes; maintaining close collaboration with the AO ARC; and creative and efficient use of flex funding.

· Collaborate with AD to develop criteria AO will use to prioritize cases for Family Team Meetings and to implement processes to support conducting Family Team Meetings.

· Maintain knowledge of DCF specialty units (e.g., Disability, Substance Use, Domestic Violence, LGBTQAI+, Mental Health) and promote consultation with DCF specialists for relevant cases.

· Coordinate with AO, RO leadership, and Services Network team to develop and present training and informational sessions for DCF staff regarding the role of the ALA, service arrays, appropriate use of evidence-based practices, and other topics as identified in collaboration with the AD.

· Engage in community outreach and arrange for community outreach by ALA staff.

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge among ALA team of DCF contracted service arrays and providers.

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge among ALA team of services available in the AO catchment area, including services available from state (e.g., DMH, DDS, MassHealth) and local agencies and from private, community-based organizations.

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of AO contracted service expenditures for support & stabilization services, comprehensive foster care, and congregate care. Collaborate with AAM and participate in AO and RO budget meetings.

· Manage Additional Services Requests process for congregate care services.

· Ensure that ALA staff are available to assist in identifying unplanned placement(s) that arise during the business day (prior to 5:00PM) and will continue to collaborate with DCF until final placement decision has been decided even if it requires both ALA staff and DCF staff to work outside of normal business hours. (Unplanned placement needs that are identified after 5:00 PM will typically be handled by the hotline, rather than ALA staff.)

Continuous Quality Responsibilities

· Engage regularly with AD and other AO staff in discussions and feedback regarding the quality of ALA services and ways to strengthen the DCF-ALA partnership.

· Fulfill responsibilities for annual performance review of ALA services, seeking assistance from ALA parent organization to provide assistance and insights that may not be readily apparent to ALA staff.

· Provide feedback to contracted service providers regarding their contributions to achieving the child welfare goals of child safety, permanency, and well-being and their fulfillment of contracted obligations.

· Support timely and accurate billing and payment by ensuring accurate service referrals by ALA staff, helping contracted service providers address administrative challenges, and supporting DCF with identifying and resolving billing issues.

· Support ALA staff to focus on achievement of service goals for children and families during treatment plan meetings, service utilization reviews, and other meetings in which ALA staff participate.

· Ensure comprehensive searching and multiple forms of outreach (e.g., phone call, email, face-to-face virtual or in-person meetings) to secure appropriate services for children and families with complex needs, engaging with multiple service providers and state agencies where needed.

· Build skills in using data to inform ALA operations.

· Implement regular process for keeping cases assigned to ALA up to date, coordinating this work with AO staff, as needed.

· Support maintenance and expansion of contracted service array in AO catchment area through management of the distribution of service requests and referrals.

· Participate in meetings and trainings hosted by DCF Central Office or Regional Offices to which ALA Directors are invited.

Other Essential Responsibilities:

1) Participate in LUK’s Leadership Team.

2) Develop Lead priorities, policies and procedures in collaboration with LUK and DCF staff

This is a fulltime position located in Central Massachusetts and will include some travel and implementation. You must have reliable and safe transportation. Work schedule must accommodate the needs of the service. Bilingual/Bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply.

LUK is a not-for-profit social service agency located in central Massachusetts dedicated to improving the lives of youth and their families. We offer a full spectrum of programs addressing mental and behavioral health, trauma, addiction and substance abuse prevention, and homelessness.

Company Description

LUK is a not-for-profit social service agency located in central Massachusetts dedicated to improving the lives of youth and their families. We offer a full spectrum of programs addressing mental and behavioral health, trauma, addiction and substance abuse prevention, and homelessness.