Program Director - Upbring

About Upbring 

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About our Children's Shelters

Many children begin life in the face of serious challenges. Instead of playing pretend and imagining grand adventures, unaccompanied children face perilous conditions alone as they travel to unfamiliar countries, leaving home and loved ones behind to escape war and violence. Our children’s centers, operated through a grant from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR), provide safety, stability and wraparound services. We help children grow into adults who have received love and kindness, instead of only violence and chaos.

What You'll Do

The Program Director is responsible for establishing and directing all aspects of program activities and services to meet the social, emotional, physical, psychological, and mental health well-being of the Unaccompanied Children (UC) for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The Program Director is responsible for regularly exercising discretion and sound judgment when directing, supervising, and overseeing the social service activities in accordance with Agency and licensing standards and other federal, state, CARF and local regulatory requirements.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders in the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

All Upbring Children's Shelters employees must comply with ORR's vaccination mandate. 

All staff must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children (UC).

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards 

• Provide oversight and leadership of all program services and activities required to meet Agency and licensing standards and UC Individual Service Plans (ISP)
• Conduct referral and placement staff meetings
• Ensure staff adheres to procedures and practices to maintain UC’s confidentiality
• Regularly review the well-being and safety of the UCs responsible for review and reporting of the nature, severity, and frequency of risks
• Take the lead on the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Program for UC care and treatment
• Monitor, review, and make recommendations for program activity improvements to ensure individual and group activities are developed and implemented to meet UC needs determined by their Individual Service Plan (ISP)
• Maintain an active presence throughout the facility to ensure Agency policies, state licensing standards, ORR policies, CARF regulations, UC needs, and licensing standards are being met
• Monitor service delivery and make recommendations for improvement staff development and management
• Other duties assigned is dependent on any changes or requirements added to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Statement of Work (SOW)

Communication  

• Ensure regular and ongoing communication is delivered to immediate supervisor and staff related to program goals, services, and issues related to , including but not limited to changes and updates
• Oversee the accurate and timely completion of incident reports, facilitate regular and ongoing incident review meetings on a program level and participate in program-wide(facility-wide) safety review committee
• Oversee and monitor case records and files and other forms of documentation to ensure all internal and external reporting standards and requirements are met; ensure all program staff is aware and adheres to the proper documentation procedures for case records and files and other forms of documentation
• Complete weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports to meet both internal and external program requirements in a timely manner as per agency policy and procedures
• Create the “administrator on-call” (AOC) rotation schedule

Fiscal Management

• Oversee program costs and expenditures and ensure they are in alignment with budget allowances
• Using statistical data to provide monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports relating to program operations and service delivery costs and the return on investment in terms of the UC preparedness and emotional, mental, and physical well-being

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Adaptability

• Provide support and intervention in crisis situations using established Agency policies, state licensing standards, and ORR policies and UC care philosophy
• Travel and assist in the safe and orderly evacuation of UC and staff during an emergency drill and mandated disaster; serve as a member of the management team assisting with evacuation of UC and staff

Teamwork

• Work closely with the Regional Director in developing and enforcing policies and procedures in accordance with Agency, state licensing standards, and contract and funding requirements

• Work in collaboration with interdisciplinary and treatment teams to develop, implement, and evaluate UC behavior and treatment plans
• Assist in the preparation of program audits, assuring adherence to Agency and licensing standards and contractual and funding agreements
• Assist with the collaborative efforts and activities with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams to ensure all UC are receiving the quality of services needed to meet their individual treatment and behavior plans
• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, program staff, inter-disciplinary teams, volunteers, and service providers to ensure the needs of the UC and program goals and services are being met at the highest quality

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, program staff, inter-disciplinary teams, volunteers, and service providers to ensure the needs of the UC and program goals and services are being met at the highest quality
• Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and procedures
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, UC parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Developing and Encouraging Others

• Maintain an appropriate staffing level to ensure the needs of the residents, ratio standards, program goals are being met; work closely with management team to create and maintain work schedules to meet staffing and ratio needs for each shift
• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence.
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the Organizational Development and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred due to service area and service population)
• Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years’ experience in child welfare administration, child protective services
• 2 years of experience in program management or as director of a licensed childcare program
• Possess the Licensed Child Care Administrator (LCCA) license for the care provider’s facility or ability to obtain the License within 6 months of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to engage, motivate, and empower staff and promote a positive working environment
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with very diverse groups of people
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, and requests simultaneously
• Demonstrated  strong writing skills without grammatical errors
• Strong verbal communication skills with the effective use of tone and choice of words
• Ability to de-escalate situations with calmness, professionalism, sensitivity, and within ethical boundaries always
• Demonstrated ability to establish trust and a positive rapport with the service population
• Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science degrees other
• LCSW, LMSW, LPC, or LMFT
• Advanced knowledge of Licensing minimum standards and Office of Refugee and Resettlement policies.

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Donated Leave Program 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull, and move up to 50 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging  

We are a diverse and inclusive organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best to fulfill our mission to break the cycle of child abuse. 

Upbring is an at-will employer. An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/protected veteran status.

Keywords: child welfare, LCAA,  child care administrator, director, program management