Director of Programs And Services

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Office of the Commissioner, is currently recruiting for a Director of Programs and Services. The position is located in Hartford with some travel throughout the state of Connecticut. The work schedule is first shift Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm with occasional evenings and weekend hours to accommodate the needs of the department.

This position works under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner and manages the Departments two contracted Administrative Services Organizations (ASOs) for innovative statewide service system management.  One ASO is contracted to work with the CT Behavioral Health Partnership and the Behavioral Health Home initiative and the other is contracted to work primarily with the Behavioral Health Recovery Program (BHRP) which includes all of the DMHAS funded Substance Use Residential Services and many recovery supports. 

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Reviewing the delivery of behavioral health services to ensure maximum federal revenue;
• Serving as the lead for the Behavioral Health Home (BHH) initiative which is a revenue maximization vehicle for CT;
• Designing, scoring and awarding Requests for Proposals for critical service system programming;
• Ensuring department mission is honored/implemented in new and existing programming;
• Supervising and supporting three Behavioral Health Clinical Managers and one Health Economist, one Behavioral Health Program Manager as well as managing the performance of the Division.

Discover the opportunity to:

• Be a key player in creating efficiencies within and between inter- and intra-departmental entities;
• Fill a critical role in statutorily required positions on council/committees;
• Serve in a critical role in in-kind requirements for federal grant;
• Work closely with Fiscal Department to ensure external contractors are meeting contractual obligations, revenue is maximized and federal/state requirements are met.

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your Resume in the 'Resume Tab' of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.   

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Edra Knight (860) 418-6866, Edra.Knight@ct.gov.

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Central Office this class is accountable for administering designated agency-wide behavioral services, programs and operations of significant size, scope and accountability.

Administers staff and operations of a designated program; develops, implements and evaluates program policies, goals and objectives to ensure conformance with agency mission, goals, objectives and statutory provisions; designs and develops program performance standards and criteria; implements new procedures and procedural revisions; determines appropriate staffing levels and directs management and coordination of staff; designs and implements staff performance review standards; maintains contact with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact on programs and services; serves as executive team member participating in development, implementation and evaluation of agency policies, goals and objectives; advises Commissioner as to behavioral health trends and strategies through use of analytics, statistics and reports; determines quality assurance standards; manages departmental service systems; develops Requests for Proposals; administers state and federal regulations pertaining to agency behavioral health care programs, services and operations; participates in provider contract negotiations; manages budget, contracts and fiscal operations coordinates accreditation activities; serves as agency liaison with external regulatory, behavioral health planning and advisory groups and other state regulatory and service agencies; testifies at legislative hearings, public hearings and in court; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations pertaining to behavioral health; considerable knowledge of principles, practices and issues of behavioral health care; knowledge of administrative and clinical operations, functions and systems involving behavioral health service delivery; some knowledge of legislative and regulations making process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable organizational skills; considerable analytical skills; ability to analyze complex problems and implement effective solutions.

An advanced degree in a health, human services or related field and five (5) years of professional experience in behavioral health care.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity directing programs and operations related to behavioral health care services with statewide or regional impact OR directing a behavioral health care community agency, facility or hospital.

Note: Managerial capacity is defined as full-time managerial responsibility for formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and monitoring a budget for a major program.  Management activities include planning, organizing, directing and controlling resources of a major behavioral health agency or organization.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Advanced Masters in Behavioral Health Field;
• Current licensure in clinical social work, professional counselor, psychologist, marital and family therapist or alcohol and drug counselor;
• Due to high visibility of the position and the functional role, the preferred candidate will possess superior verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable with public speaking;
• Experience implementing statewide programming;
• Experience and skill in managing learning collaborates and shaping healthcare systems;
• Considerable knowledge of Medicaid programming and opportunities;
• Knowledge-base, experience and ability to inform executive leadership regarding Medicaid initiatives, healthcare trends, healthcare policy, federal reimbursement trends and value based payment/programs;
• Knowledge and skills related to credentialing quality management, utilization management data analysis and use of data analytics to inform system transformation;
• Knowledge and implementation skills related to integrated healthcare;
• Ability to monitor statewide initiatives and performance outcomes of contractors.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits, degrees, certifications and/or any other qualifications necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the applicable position.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.