Program Manager

Job Description

Job DescriptionThe Program Manager serves as an exemplary Direct Support Professional role model for the agency. The Program Manager is the first point of contact for each person served as they enter into services and is the last person to successfully assist each person to transition out of the agency, when needed. The Program Manager is immersed in all aspects of the Productive and Personally Meaningful Life (PPML) Plans/Person-Centered Planning process including expertise in the PATH planning model. The Program Manager provides direct case management and support for each associate, as well as, serves as liaison with community partners, families and care providers. Under the direction of the Program Director, Senior Directors, and Chief Clinical Officer, the Program Manager collaborates with associates, families, and other team members to develop opportunities for associates to participate in adult education, community service, paid work, and recreational/cultural activities of their choosing, ultimately leading to a fully integrated life in the community. The Program Manager leads the Productive and Personally Meaningful Life (PPML) Plans/PATH planning and/or person centered planning process for each associate served and then, helps the individual to summarize the plan documenting identifying desired goals, objectives, and action plans for each member of the support team.

Principle Areas of Responsibility:

Life Planning/Discovery

• Ensure each person served moves successfully through all phases of services – Intake, Discovery, Life Schedule Development; including paid work and community service opportunities, Transitions into fully integrated, community-based lifestyles and, Exit into non-Tierra-based services, if needed.

• Assist with developing associate referrals, and conducting associate interviews/observations

/assessments to determine ‘goodness of fit’ within Tierra’s set of services.

• Assist the Intake Coordinator with all aspects of the Referral and Intake phase.

• Assist the Intake Coordinator with all aspects of the design and implementation of the initial associate Discovery process.

• Assist the Intake Coordinator with all aspects of the PATH planning process, then monitor and maintain Productive and Personally Meaningful Life (PPML) Plans/Individual Person Centered Plans, utilizing the information developed within the PATH planning process. Write semi-annual and annual review summaries of progress made toward achievement of goals, as outlined in Productive and Personally Meaningful Life (PPML) Plans, and distribute to all necessary parties. Monitor Productive and Personally Meaningful Life (PPML) Plans for each associate, and assist Direct Support Professionals with the implementation of plans. Coordinate assessments of challenging behaviors, arranging for the development of Individualized Behavior Support Plans, with appropriate replacement behaviors, as needed. Ensure that families/care providers receive regular written communication regarding associate progress during the initial Discovery process, as well as progress made toward goals in the Individual Service and PATH plans.

• The Program Manager is responsible for monitoring associate progress through assessment tools/data gathered from Direct Support Professionals, as well as conducting associate observations. The Program Manager provides crisis support ,as needed, as well as assistance with self-advocacy and case coordination services for associates.

• Ensure effective associate transitions between Tierra programs by active participation in Life Planning/PATH Planning meetings, preparation of individual transition plans in conjunction with Tierra’s internal teams, and providing direct service staff with background information on new associates. The Program Manager is responsible for assisting with the transition process for associates moving to other programs and completing Exit Summaries for associates who have left the program.

Documentation Management

• The Program Manager is responsible for attendance procedures/records and ensuring that all information in associate files is current. The Program Manager is responsible for the coordination of outcomes management surveys with associates, family members, care providers, staff and Regional Center staff, as a part of the annual review process and will review and present data to the Program Director and Chief Clinical Officer.

Quality Assurance:

• Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Program Manager will develop and sustain positive working partnerships with all entities, identified in the Productive and Personally Meaningful Life (PPML) Plans/PATH process, including, but not limited to: community employers, volunteer sites, public education facilities, and cultural, social - recreational, and civic organizations. Each individual PATH Plan will determine the variety of these partnerships. The Program Manager is also expected to establish and maintain strong working relationships with associates, associate families, Regional Center counselors, and collaborating social service agencies.

• The Program Manager is responsible for conducting monthly Quality Assurance checks for each community partner sufficient to insure that staff and associates are meeting the stated mission and expectations of each partner. The Program Manager will report weekly to staff on associate issues/ISP deadlines. The Program Manager will also complete monthly satisfaction questionnaires and respond with recommendations for improvement.

• The Program Manager is responsible for establishing and sustaining communication and collaboration with families, care providers, Regional Center staff, and others to insure a high degree of consensus and satisfaction among all key partners regarding the associates’ goals, objectives, and action plans within the program.

• Maintain systems to identify and remediate health and safety risks at all program locations. Establish and monitor ongoing safety training and risk management systems for each site. Conduct safety meetings on a monthly basis and conduct training in-services, as needed. Schedule, monitor, and log monthly emergency drills, as deemed necessary for each site. Monitor associates for signs of illness/injury/abuse and provide follow-up, as appropriate. Intervene in medical, behavioral, and other emergencies. The Program Manager will also participate in the development and implementation of relevant curriculum, under the supervision of the Program Director.

Transportation:

• Request MTA bus passes and parking permits, as needed, on a monthly basis. The Program Manager, along with the associate’s family and/or Regional Center Service Coordinator, is also responsible for coordinating transportation services for associates.

• The Program Manager will be responsible for assisting each individual served to become eligible for all generic services, such as Access, Citi-ride, etc.

Staff Training/On-going Growth/Supervision and Evaluation:

• Coordinate and provide staff training to ensure the highest quality of services is provided to each person served. Observe volunteer and/or community activities and provide written feedback to staff regarding training strategies and associate intervention. Demonstrate effective instructional and positive behavior support techniques, and assist in the training of staff to implement these methods.

• The Program Manager is responsible for effectively supervising associate and staff behavior and safety at all times and in assisting with medical, behavioral, and other associate emergencies.

• Program Manager should act as a leader during behavioral/emotional crises in a manner that is in keeping with Tierra del Sol’s positive behavior support strategies, and Handle With Care Behavior Management System philosophy.

• Arrange, provide, and document sufficient initial training and senior staff observations to enable new staff performance appraisals to be completed at 60 and 120 days. Maintain on-going systems for personnel observations and QA survey reviews sufficient to ensure effective/accurate direct service staff performance appraisals. Provide on-going, data based performance feedback to direct support staff. Ensure that all direct support staff receive annual performance reviews on a timely basis.

• Serve as substitute DSP Direct Support Professional at volunteer or other sites, where needed.

This is a full time, exempt management position, with typical work hours of 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in behavioral science or related field, along with bilingual Spanish skills, is preferred. Strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and staff management experience are essential. Experience with implementation of positive behavior support techniques, as well as experience providing training/instruction/case management to adults with developmental disabilities is required. Must have current California driver's license, 3 years’ driving experience, auto liability insurance, and current certification in CPR/First Aid.

WHAT WE OFFER

ANNUAL SALARY: $77,890

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• 403B Savings

PAID TIME OFF

• Two weeks’ vacation
• Personal
• Sick

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Tierra is committed to ensuring each and every staff member feels focused, recognized, and challenged via:

• Weekly check-ins via Stand Out platform
• Monthly Department meetings
• Annual DSP Week celebration
• Annual New Year Kickoff party
• Annual Health Fair

BONUS OPPORTUNITIES

Bonus opportunities are available for employees who refer others to work for Tierra del Sol Foundation.

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRAINING/TRANSFERABLE SKILLS, INCLUDING:

• First Aid/CPR Training
• NADSP E-Badge Academy: Tierra proudly offers all staff members who are interested, an opportunity to advance in their professional development and showcase their accomplishments with this accredited online training program through The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Foundation.
• Open Future Learning: Accredited online training recognized by The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.
• Handle with Care Behavior Management System: This federally approved two-part training system provides staff with verbal-intervention and physical-intervention techniques that focus on empowering individuals experiencing a crisis to regain control through support from trained personnel.
• Therap Experience: National leader in Web-Based Developmental Disabilities Software. Therap is a web-based application suite that was designed to provide a comprehensive solution for organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

JOIN TIERRA DEL SOL FOUNDATION AND HELP MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION EVERYDAY WHILE WORKING IN A FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT!