Program Director

Homeless Children’s Network

Position Title: SUD Program Director

SALARY: $130,000 a year

SCHEDULE: Full-time position. Onsite/Hybrid

BENEFITS: Health, Dental, and Vision insurance; Commuter stipend

HOMELESS CHILDREN’S NETWORK MISSION STATEMENT

Homeless Children’s Network’s (HCN) mission is to decrease the trauma of homelessness and domestic violence for children, youth, and families; to empower families; and to increase the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among service providers to end homelessness and poverty.  Since 1992, HCN has empowered San Francisco’s underserved and historically marginalized communities citywide toward a brighter future with love, wholeness, and healing.

About Homeless Children’s Network (HCN)

Since 1992, HCN has been San Francisco’s leading nonprofit agency for comprehensive early intervention and mental health support for underserved and historically marginalized children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or living in intergenerational poverty. Our mobile therapeutic model is both accessible and scalable, enabling clinicians to meet clients directly in the community. As the hub of a Collaborative of 60+ service agencies and community-based organizations, we serve over 2,500 clients each year, reaching those most reluctant to trust conventional mental health systems. Central to our work is our Afri-centric mental health and wellness model. This community-defined approach addresses health inequities and the persistent cycle of racism and trauma over generations. This model not only uplifts the Black/African American communities but also strengthens the behavioral health outcomes of all San Franciscans, fostering resilience, healing, and lasting change.

KUPONA SUD OUTPATIENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

Kupona Program is a culturally responsive and family-centered substance use treatment program for youth in San Francisco. Utilizing Evidence-based and locally-innovative interventions, this program will provide co-occurring or SUD standalone services for youth who are at risk or struggling with drug, alcohol, and other substances. Kupona offers a continuum of services depending on the level of care needed:

Early Intervention for youth who are at risk of developing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD),

Outpatient Level 1 for youth who are actively using substances and meet criteria for SUD diagnosis, but who present with NO acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential.

Intensive Outpatient for youth who are actively using substances, meet criteria for SUD diagnosis, and who present with acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential.

This program serves all ethnicities and populations within San Francisco with focused expertise to meet the needs of youth under the age of 18 years old who are Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The SUD Program Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of HCN’s youth substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program, including clinical services, staff management, client care, compliance with regulations, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality and evidence-based treatment under the Drug Medi-Cal (DMC-ODS) framework. The SUD Program Director reports Directly to the COO 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Leadership:

Provide clinical supervision and consultation to counselors, therapists, and other clinical staff, ensuring adherence to best practices and ethical standards in SUD treatment.

Oversee the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans for clients, including medication management within the DMC-ODS guidelines. 

Ensure close clinical collaboration with Medical Director and LPHAs, and participate in clinical discussions that include these two clinical leads. 

Be on continuous discussions with Medical Director on addiction-related topics, medical needs, and MAT related matters. Will ensure client needs are appropriately addressed in the physical addiction and medical realm in collaboration with the Medical Director. 

Lead clinical risk management discussions and oversee resolution of risk situations

Lead clinical discussions on service capacity and utilization

Program Management:

Manage the overall budget for the DMC-ODS program, including staffing, medication costs, and operational expenses. 

Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations related to SUD treatment, including those governing the administration of MAT. 

Develop and implement program policies and procedures, including quality assurance standards. 

Identify and implement evidence-based and locally-innovative practices in the DMC-ODS program

Ensure staff are trained on all compliance and regulatory changes. Will ensure systems within HCN are updated to allow these changes to be implemented.

Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness through data collection and analysis.

Monitor and ensure that program is meeting deliverables, performance objectives, continuous quality improvement requirements set by the County. Will collaborate with Quality Management Department to ensure requirements are met. 

In collaboration with HCN leadership and county of San Francisco, develop and maintain the vision for the SUD treatment program

Liaison with the City and County of San Francisco and represent the program at county meetings, and designated staff who may participate in county-led committees and meetings. 

Staff Supervision:

Hire, train, and supervise clinical and administrative staff working under the DMC-ODS program 

Foster a positive and collaborative work environment among staff members. 

Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff. 

Strategic Planning: 

Contribute to the organization’s strategic planning process, identifying program growth and development opportunities.

Align program goals and objectives with the broader organizational strategy.

Monitor trends and best practices to inform program innovation and development.

Clinical Direct Service

As needed, Program Director will provide direct clinical services to youth and families.

Direct clinical services could range from assessment, treatment planning, individual therapy/counseling, group counseling, family therapy, care coordination, collateral sessions, to crisis management among other things. 

Community Engagement and Care Coordination:

Collaborate with community partners, including other healthcare providers, social service agencies, school district, and juvenile justice/probation to facilitate client referrals and support continuity of care. 

Participate in outreach activities to raise awareness about SUD treatment options and the benefits of MAT. 

Documentation and Reporting:

Ensure accurate and timely documentation of client records, including treatment plans, medication administration logs, and progress notes. 

Generate required reports for regulatory agencies and internal stakeholders. 

Advocacy and Community Outreach:

Advocate for substance use and mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the community.

Provide resources and referrals to support services, including community mental health programs, shelters, and support groups.

Professional Development:

Engage in continuing education, professional training, and supervision to stay current with best practices and new substance use and mental health treatments.

Participate in workshops, seminars, and conferences related to substance use and mental health care.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with clients.

Expertise in various therapeutic techniques. 

Ability to diagnose mental health disorders and develop treatment plans.

High level of empathy and compassion, with a non-judgmental approach to      clients.

Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.

Crisis intervention and problem-solving skills.

Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.

Must exhibit leadership ability, have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Knowledge about diverse cultures and ability to provide competency in working with youth and communities of racial, cultural, ethnic, and sexual differences.

Ability to pass a criminal background check.

Detail-oriented and well organized.

Able to establish and meet deadlines.

Has a passion for developing and sustaining quality services for youth and families, and a desire to learn and understand needs of HCN’s constituents, staff, and partners.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master's degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field (e.g., MSW, MFT, LPC).

Must be licensed in the State of California with either Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or Board of Psychology (BOP) At least 4 years post licensure.

Approved to be a clinical supervisor by the appropriate Board requirements and has been a clinical supervisor for at least 2 years.

Minimum 2 years of experience working with individuals dealing with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, ideally in a clinical, outpatient, or hospital setting.

Knowledgeable about the biological and psychosocial dimensions of substance use disorders for adolescents and their treatment, and are able to identify signs and symptoms of acute psychiatric conditions including psychiatric decompensation.

Minimum 5 years of experience providing direct services to children, youth, and families.

Experience working and engaging with youth and their families, youth in child welfare system, youth within the juvenile justice system, youth with disabilities, youth with co-occurring disorders, and/or gang-affiliated, etc.

Knowledgeable about adolescent development; and experience in clinical treatment, healing arts, and intervention techniques/approaches to youth development.

Knowledge of youth services in San Francisco from which clients can benefit.

Knowledgeable and experience with Medi-Cal or Drug Medi-Cal services.

HCN’s Community Culture

Of all the above important qualifications, bring the heartfelt quality of compassion, with exquisite cultural responsiveness as a primary guiding quality, not only of your professional life, but of what you hold dear.

Please bring a strong analysis of how race, ethnicity, culture, language, region, poverty, sexual and gender identity, age, education, opportunities and resources generationally made available or not, and systemic oppressions impact a person’s mental health.

Please have stories of your own life and how you have been a mover and shaker to transform these systems.

Please accept that HCN is a vibrant community that has a legacy that is of interest to you, and is also prompted to grow steadily, and with the respect of what has been done well central in the conversation.