Children and Families Program Director

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), we are partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive.  We are comprised of 14 area offices, two facilities, the Wilderness School, and Central Office. 

The Department of Children and Families is recruiting for a Children and Families Program Director in our Clinical and Community Consultation and Support Division. This position is a full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday position and is located in our Central Office, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT.

The Clinical and Community Consultation and Support Division is a team committed to ensuring children and families’ access to services and supports to enhance their quality of life, access to care, and well-being in their respective communities. 

The Program Director will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: 

• Overseeing the Office of Interagency Collaboration and Planning within DCF’s Clinical and Community Consultation and Support Division. 
• Working closely with the Social Security Administration and various state agencies to include the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Developmental Services, Social Services, and Housing. 
• Engaging tasks such as leading stakeholder meetings, drafting policy and ensuring revisions are made when protocols change.  
• Have an active role in coordinating statewide service alignment across governmental entities.  
• Supports planning for multidisciplinary discussions to seamlessly transition youth between systems, while building collaborative partnerships with organizations. 
• Maintaining ACCESS databases. 

The ideal candidates will possess the following:

• History of developing and sustaining relationships with service providers.
• Knowledge of complex system issues impacting families with children experiencing disabilities (e.g., intellectual, developmental, autistic, behavioral or mental health).
• Be well organized and detail focused.

*New State Employees start at minimum salary range.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: resume, cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure etc. at the discretion of the hiring agency.

For questions in regards to this posting please contact: Jodi Grasso, Jodi.Grasso@ct.gov, (860) 550-6486.

In the Department of Children and Families area office, Wilderness School, or a major program with statewide impact, this class is accountable for directing administrative support and/or program services.

Directs the staff and operations of the assigned area of responsibility; coordinates and formulates program goals and objectives to conform with Department policies, standards and legal matters; develops or assists in the development of related policy; assists in directing and coordinating allocation of staff and resources to maintain service delivery system or program; manages systems/programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and department mandates; interprets and administers pertinent laws; identifies training and development needs of staff; evaluates staff; develops and monitors budgets for specific program or administrative areas; maintains liaison with individuals and organizations that impact on area or program activities; speaks before professional and lay groups; represents Commissioner in community and public relations activities within area as assigned; prepares and/or analyzes management reports including reports detailing area activities, program operations and client statistics; evaluates programs and professional social work services provided to children and families; identifies needs of children and families for purposes of determining available community resources; reviews work of assigned areas for general efficiency and effectiveness with target client populations; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; knowledge of standards of practice and administration of programs dealing with children and youth; knowledge of impact of cultural issues on service delivery and staff relationships; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare programs, children's protective services, foster services, adoption or social and human services.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with responsibility for planning, development, implementation or supervision of administrative or program services in child welfare, children's protective services, children's mental health or juvenile justice.

For state employees, this is at the level of Children and Families Program Manager.

1. College education may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree or other advanced degree in the behavioral sciences, public administration, education, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience in contract management.
• Experience managing provider partnerships/relations.
• Experience in excel, including data analytics and reporting.
• Experience with prevention/diversion/intervention services for youth and families.
• Experience with Connecticut’s provider network and systems of care.
• Experience building/maintaining ACCESS databases.

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